Giant Barrel Sponge in Cozumel

A huge rust-brown or grey barrel with a hard rough exterior and a deep open central cavity. The largest sponge on the reef by a wide margin.

Quick ID

Where You Will See It In Cozumel

The deeper walls and slopes — Santa Rosa, Colombia Deep and Punta Sur, where the biggest specimens sit.

Reliable sites: Santa Rosa Wall, Colombia Deep, Punta Sur.

Behaviour

Sometimes called the redwood of the reef: large specimens are estimated to be well over a century old, and some Caribbean individuals may be far older. Filters thousands of litres of water a day, and shelters brittle stars, gobies and cleaner shrimp.

Commonly Confused With

• Vase sponges — Vase sponges are smaller, thinner-walled and often brightly coloured.
• Tube sponges — Tube sponges form clusters of narrow tubes rather than a single barrel.

Diving Etiquette And Safety

Never sit in, stand on or put a camera inside a barrel sponge. The surface is a living filter and physical damage does not heal quickly.

Part of the Cozumel marine life guide · see Cozumel dive sites · plan your Cozumel dive trip