Sealife guideGlass sponges: secrets and fascinating life of the deep seaThe marine sponges

Taxonomy

Phylum: Porifera, sponges
Class:

Common name: Glass Sponges, siliceous sponges, or hexactinellid sponges
Scientific name: Hexactinellida

Description

Glass sponges, also called siliceous sponges or hexactinellid sponges, are characterized by a skeleton made of silica spicules.

These spicules, called hexactines, have six points oriented along three axes. Spicules are divided into two categories based on size: megascleres for large spicules and microscleres for small ones.

The magnificent glass sponge known as the Venus Flower Basket © NOAA under Creative Commons license

Unlike other sponges, the external membrane or ectoderm of glass sponges lacks pinacocytes. Similarly, the internal membrane or endoderm does not have choanocytes but has structures similar to choanocytes without nuclei, forming the choanosyncytium.

Geographic range

Glass sponges live in some of the ocean's most extreme environments, from the dark depths beyond 656 feet (200 meters) to the icy waters of the polar seas, where conditions favor the growth of their siliceous skeleton. Their delicate, glass-like skeletons made of silica allow them to survive where few other creatures can.

Did you know ?

The amazing partnership between glass sponges and shrimp

One of the most fascinating wonders of the ocean is the « shrimp sponge » (Euplectella aspergillum), commonly known as the Venus’ Flower Basket, a type of glass sponge. This sponge often houses a pair of shrimp within its intricate silica framework, whose delicate lattice acts like a natural cage.

The shrimp enter the sponge when they are young and small enough to slip through its openings. Once they grow to adulthood, they become too large to leave, spending their entire lives inside. This arrangement benefits both partners: the shrimp gain a safe haven from predators, while their waste provides nutrients for the sponge.

In Japan, this extraordinary partnership has become a symbol of loyalty and marital devotion, and the shrimp sponge is sometimes given as a wedding gift.

Discover glass sponges

Venus flower basket
(Euplectella aspergillum)

Our latestUpdates

Wednesday, November 19th 2025

Tenerife island

Tenerife, the largest of the Canary islands, is a volcanic gem in the Atlantic ocean. It boasts an incredible variety of landscapes, from golden or black sand beaches to the subtropical forests of the Anaga mountains and the majestic Teide volcano, Spain's highest peak. With its picturesque villages, rich local culture and countless outdoor activities, Tenerife is a perfect destination for every type of traveler.

Saturday, November 15th 2025

Batz island

Located in the English Channel off the northern coast of Brittany, just a few kilometers from the town of Roscoff, Batz island is a true little haven of peace where you can enjoy its wild landscapes, unspoiled beaches and historical heritage.

Friday, November 7th 2025

The common sea fan

The common sea fan, is a type of soft coral found in the warm, shallow waters of the Caribbean and the western Atlantic ocean. It grows in wide, fan-shaped forms that sway gently with the ocean currents, helping it catch tiny food particles drifting by. Its beautiful purple branches are covered by a thin living tissue that hosts tiny algae, which provide much of the coral's energy through sunlight.

Photo of the Day

Etoile de mer cookie
(Nidorellia armata)