barrel sponge

Barrel sponges are some of the oldest-living marine animals on Earth. These invertebrates grow at a depth of 10 to 120 meters/33 - 390 feet.

Their depth dictates their color. Barrel sponges found in shallow water are brown-red and brown-grey while deeper ones are salmon pink and purple.

They are filter-feeders and consume suspended particles in the water. At the same time, the sponges are important food sources for parrotfish, cardinalfish, and other species of fish.