Haliclona permollis(?)

The Purple Sponge

Phylum Porifera
Class Demospongiae
Order Haplosclerida
Family Haliclonidae
Genus Haliclona
Species permollis

Description: 4.1 cm in height; color ranges from pink to lavender to purple; oscula visible on low volcanolike rises; smooth texture; soft, not slimy; thin encrusting.

Habitat: Found growing on floats, pilings and protected rocks from the midtidal zone to water 6 m deep.

Natural History: Fed upon by the Ringed Doris and other dorid nudibranchs. The purple sponge can be found at East Bay Marina in the South Sound.