Phorbas fictitius

Phorbas fictitius is sessile, meaning it remains fixed in one place, typically attaching itself to substrates in its environment. Divers can encounter this sponge in the temperate waters of the Northeast Atlantic, particularly around Spain. It is commonly found at depths shallower than 40 meters, with the majority of observations occurring at depths less than 30 meters. The life cycle of Phorbas fictitius involves a free-swimming larval stage known as parenchymella. After this stage, the larvae settle onto a suitable substrate where they develop into young sponges. Like many members of the class Demospongiae, Phorbas fictitius is hermaphroditic, possessing both male and female reproductive organs, which allows for a unique reproductive strategy. Currently, there is no evaluation of the conservation status of Phorbas fictitius by the IUCN, CITES, or CMS.