DS256 4 Posted December 10, 2020 I'm stumped at trying to identify this. I originally thought it was a sponge but now suspect it's a coral. However, I can't find a match for either. Thanls Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimG 26 Posted December 10, 2020 Where was it taken? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DS256 4 Posted December 10, 2020 Grand Cayman Island; Dive Site - Killer Puffer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tursiops 81 Posted December 11, 2020 Knowing the size would be nice, and the depth. Lacking that, I'd say likely a Star Coral, perhaps a smooth Star. Definitely not a sponge...no outlet holes for the water flow. I don't suppose you possibly touched it to see if it was hard or soft? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quinn 5 Posted December 11, 2020 Black Ball Sponge, fairly common around the island on shallow reefs.. https://reefguide.org/blackball.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DS256 4 Posted December 11, 2020 Thanks for the answer and the reference Quinn. It was the Orange color that threw me off. The Human/Deloach books I have did not mention there could be an orange variety. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DS256 4 Posted December 11, 2020 10 hours ago, tursiops said: Knowing the size would be nice, and the depth. Lacking that, I'd say likely a Star Coral, perhaps a smooth Star. Definitely not a sponge...no outlet holes for the water flow. I don't suppose you possibly touched it to see if it was hard or soft? It's interesting how confusing identifying some corals and sponges can be. I was leaning to Star Coral as well until Quinn came up with Sponge. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tursiops 81 Posted December 12, 2020 Your picture does not validate that ID for me. Do you have others? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DS256 4 Posted December 12, 2020 5 hours ago, tursiops said: Your picture does not validate that ID for me. Do you have others? Sorry, that's the only photo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisRoss 150 Posted December 20, 2020 A closer crop would help - all the pics of black ball sponge in the link show black spots and holes plus striations around each little peak which I can't sea on your pic. At this magnification it looks more coral like to me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quinn 5 Posted December 20, 2020 Trust me, sponge, perhaps a variant of Black Ball, but not a coral. Closer view of same type sponge ,seen many times diving waters surrounding island. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DS256 4 Posted December 20, 2020 Thanks for all the help and the making me feel better that I was not the only one having problems with this. Here's a close up shot. I don't see the pores like in Quinn's closeups. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quinn 5 Posted December 20, 2020 Really? I can see them. .Perhaps not in as much detail but they are there! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DS256 4 Posted December 20, 2020 Thanks Quinn. I can see some small pores now that you pointed them out. I was looking for your image. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan Mele 1 Posted July 3, 2021 Definitely some species of sponge. I'm a coral biologist. If it were a coral you would be able to see small polyps. Even if they were pulled in, the polyp detail would be unmistakeable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
