Sponge Sexual Reproduction

[scubareefer]

Hi Reefers!

Long time follower of Reef2Reef, first time posting.

I am curious if anyone has tried or is currently housing sponges that are capable of reproducing sexually in the home aquarium. I know sponges are difficult to maintain in household setups, but I want to know if anyone has had success with them. If you have had success housing sponges, what did you find to be the optimal parameters? What were you dosing/feeding? Did you see growth of the animal, or did it maintain or even shrink in size? Basically, is it possible to have sponges reproduce sexually in the home aquarium, and if so, can the embryos grow in our tanks?

Thanks!

 

[Mike N]

interesting pursuit.
I've read that they produce both sexually and asexually and can be fragged.
in my experience, they seem to thrive in dirty water.

 

[scubareefer]

You are correct @Mike N , they can reproduce both sexually and asexually! I am interested in sexual reproduction, where the embryo develops into a larvae inside the maternal body (can also be external development), then released into the water column. It is likely that these embryos don't survive in the home aquarium as they are swept into filtration systems, at least that is my guess. However, they can be found in sumps, where conditions are potentially more favorable for them to grow. I am curious if someone has been able to have sponges reproduce in their tanks.

Also, I would love to hear from hobbyists who have sponges in their tanks, what have been your outcomes with sponges, either good or bad.

 

[davinus]

My father has a tank that’s been going for about 10 years! It is filled with many different types of sponges, all of which have sexually reproduced! The first time it happened was about five years ago. It was a pink sponge. And I mean they were everywhere in the tank after that. The pink sponge now does it every year around the same time, there is also a yellow sponge, which has sexually reproduced at least once, and a gray sponge that has also sexually reproduced at least once! Our aquarium guy believes our sponges are so healthy because of the weekly broadcast feeding! Also live sponges are great phosphate and silicate filters!