Brush Sponge

Ciocalypta penicillus

The Brush Sponge, a member of the family Halichondriidae, is a sessile organism found in temperate marine environments. It is recorded in regions such as the Eastern Central Pacific, including Hawaii, and the Northeast Atlantic, around Spain. This sponge is typically found in shallow waters, with most occurrences recorded at depths shallower than 50 meters. Brush Sponges are part of the class Demospongiae, known for their hermaphroditic nature. The life cycle begins with the development of a zygote into a free-swimming parenchymella larva, which eventually settles on a substrate to grow into a mature sponge. Divers may encounter the Brush Sponge at various dive sites, where it contributes to the underwater landscape.