Citron Sponge

Agelas citrina

The Citron Sponge, known scientifically as Agelas citrina, is a sponge found primarily in the Caribbean region, with confirmed occurrences in Cuba. Divers can identify this sponge by its range of colors, which include pinkish, cream, tan, or orange. It exhibits a variety of forms such as encrusting, fan, lobate, massive, and vase shapes, and its consistency can vary from soft to tough. This species is typically found in tropical waters, with a significant number of observations recorded at depths shallower than 40 meters, and most occurrences at depths less than 80 meters. The Citron Sponge is sessile, meaning it remains fixed in one place, often attaching itself to substrates in its environment. As a member of the class Demospongiae, it is hermaphroditic, with a life cycle that includes a free-swimming larval stage known as parenchymella before settling down to develop into a mature sponge. Divers encountering the Citron Sponge will find it harmless and an interesting subject due to its varied morphology and coloration. While the IUCN Red List and other conservation databases have not evaluated this species, it remains an integral component of the Caribbean marine ecosystem.