Description: This bright orange sponge is extremely polymorphic and fast growing, changing shape in just a few weeks. It may be encrusting as thin sheets or cushions, massive lobose, with or without tassels, or branched.

Habitat: This species is common on the low shore and shallow sublittoral, it is seldom found in the circalittoral zone. It occurs in a wide range of habitats from extremely sheltered to extremely exposed and also under a wide range of current regimes.

Distribution: A common and widespread species in the British Isles.

Similar Species: The encrusting form of this species may be confused with other orange/red encrusting sponges but the soft texture and open surface are quite distinctive.

Key Identification Features:

• Orange/red colour, this pigment squeezes out easily when compressed.
• Grows tassels.
• Soft texture and open surface.

Distribution Map from NBN: Amphilectus fucorum at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Amphilectus fucorum at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Amphilectus fucorum at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Amphilectus fucorum (Esper, 1794). AphiaID: 150225.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Porifera; Demospongiae; Heteroscleromorpha; Poecilosclerida; Esperiopsidae; Amphilectus