Tethya actinia

Tethya actinia is a globular sea sponge that can reach a maximum size of about 7 cm in diameter. Its exterior varies in color from emerald to drab green, and occasionally it can be orange. The interior is lighter, sometimes orange. The sponge has a tough, somewhat compressible texture with a verrucose surface. It features volcano-shaped oscules with transparent membranes, which are less than 0.5 cm wide. Some specimens may have thin processes or buds on their surface, adding to their distinctive appearance. This species is commonly found in tropical regions of the Western Central Atlantic, particularly in mangrove and seagrass beds. Tethya actinia is sessile, meaning it remains attached to a substrate rather than moving freely. The sponge is highly toxic to fish, yet it is preyed upon by the hawksbill turtle. As a member of the class Demospongiae, Tethya actinia is hermaphroditic. It reproduces by releasing a parenchymella larva, which is free-swimming before settling on a substrate to grow into a young sponge. Currently, its conservation status has not been evaluated by the IUCN.