Erect Finger-Sponge

Hyrtios erectus

Erect Finger-sponge is prevalent in diverse locations such as the Southern Red Sea, Papua New Guinea, and the South China Sea. It thrives in tropical waters, primarily attaching itself to dead coral at the base of pinnacles. Divers can encounter these sponges at depths ranging from the surface to 100 meters, although most sightings occur in shallower waters, typically less than 40 meters deep. The Erect Finger-sponge is characterized by its fibrous body, which allows it to absorb significant amounts of water. As a filter-feeder, it plays a vital ecological role by filtering water for plankton and other small particles. Like many sponges, Hyrtios erectus is hermaphroditic, with a life cycle that includes a free-swimming larval stage before settling on a substrate to mature into an adult sponge. While diving, encountering an Erect Finger-sponge can be an intriguing experience due to its unique structure and ecological function. Divers should be mindful of its habitat, as it is often found attached to substrates in reef environments. Currently, there is no evaluation of its conservation status, but it is considered harmless to humans.