Cliona schmidtii

Cliona schmidtii is a sponge belonging to the family Clionaidae. It is characterized by its sparse and rather cryptic papillae, which can make it challenging to spot. The sponge exhibits a blue coloration and has a soft consistency. Divers might encounter this species at depths ranging from 10 to 28 meters, primarily in tropical regions of the Western Central Pacific and Western Central Atlantic. It is a sessile organism, meaning it remains fixed in one place, often blending into the surrounding environment. The life cycle of Cliona schmidtii involves a free-swimming parenchymella larva stage, which eventually settles on a substrate and grows into a mature sponge. As a member of the class Demospongiae, it is hermaphroditic, possessing both male and female reproductive organs. While diving, encountering Cliona schmidtii can be a subtle experience due to its cryptic nature. Divers should look closely at the substrate to spot the blue papillae.