Amphilectus fucorum - Marine Life Encyclopedia

Amphilectus fucorum (Esper, 1794)

Amphilectus fucorum

Description: This bright orange sponge is extremely polymorphic and fast growing, changing shape in just a few weeks. It may be encrusting as thin sheets or cushions, massive lobose, with or without tassels, or branched.

Habitat: This species is common on the low shore and shallow sublittoral, it is seldom found in the circalittoral zone. It occurs in a wide range of habitats from extremely sheltered to extremely exposed and also under a wide range of current regimes.

Distribution: A common and widespread species in the British Isles.

Similar Species: The encrusting form of this species may be confused with other orange/red encrusting sponges but the soft texture and open surface are quite distinctive.

Key Identification Features:

Orange/red colour, this pigment squeezes out easily when compressed.
Grows tassels.
Soft texture and open surface.

Distribution Map: NBN map : National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

WoRMS: Species record : World Register of Marine Species.

iNaturalist: Species account : iNaturalist World Species Observations database

Picton, B.E. & Morrow, C.C. (2016). Amphilectus fucorum (Esper, 1794). [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland.
https://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/species.asp?item=C5960 Accessed on 2025-03-23

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