Branching Vase Sponge
| Name: | Branching Vase Sponge |
| Scientific Name: | Callyspongia vaginalis |
| Family: | Vase Sponges |
| Taxonomic: | Callyspongidae |
| ID Group: | Sponges, Bryozoans, Tunicates |
| Size: | up to 3 ft. |
| Depth Range: | On the reef (10 – 60 ft.) |
| Sightings: | Seen often |
This Sponge grows in thin, vase-like tubes that range in color from gray to grayish-purple. The outside of the tubes often appears rough, while the inside is smooth. It usually forms small to large clusters, with several tubes growing close together.
The Branching Vase Sponge often grows in groups in areas with steady water flow. In areas with strong current, the tubes may grow in a wide, fan-like shape. This Sponge often hosts Brittle Stars inside its tubes that come out at night to feed.