Description: The colour of this sponge may vary from yellow through orange to a 'dirty rose-red'. It forms thick cushions 5-10mm high in patches 10-15 cm across. The surface has a loose, porous appearance, similar to that of Myxilla incrustans. The oscules are scattered across the surface and have raised ridges. Exhalant channels run up to the oscules.The sponge exudes a large quantity of slime when taken out of the water.

Habitat: Most commonly found on lower infralittoral or circalittoral bedrock in areas of strong water movement. Specimens from shallow water are usually pink in colour, but in deeper water they are often yellow and are associated with Myxilla fimbriata.

Distribution: Widely distributed and common on the western coasts of the British Isles.

Similar Species: Superficially it can be very similar to Myxilla incrustans, but it does not seem to form the raised, oscule bearing ridges.

Key Identification Features:

• Thick cushion, yellow to 'dirty rose red' in colour.
• Surface has loose, porous appearance.
• Exudes quantities of slime.

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

iNaturalist: Myxilla rosacea at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Myxilla rosacea at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Myxilla (Myxilla) rosacea (Lieberkühn, 1859). AphiaID: 169488.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Porifera; Demospongiae; Heteroscleromorpha; Poecilosclerida; Myxillidae; Myxilla