Harp Sponge
Chondrocladia lyra
This deep-sea sponge lives upright on soft sediment, known from cold waters of the northeast Pacific at depths of several thousand meters. Its harp-like branches stand in the current while rootlike structures anchor it to the seafloor. Unlike most sponges, it is carnivorous, catching tiny crustaceans on hooked spicules and then enveloping them for digestion. Its unusual lyre shape helps spread its feeding surfaces into the passing water.
- Type
- Water / Stealth
- Conservation status
- NE
Growth chain
- ?
- Harp Sponge