Red Ball Sponge (Filter-Feeding NPS Reef Sponge) - Pseudoaxinella spp.
Unlike the classic gym class red ball, this is one you won’t want to dodge.
What You Get
You’ll receive one Red Ball Sponge specimen, hand-selected from Florida hard-bottom habitats and typically measuring 2–3 inches across. We focus on smaller, well-formed individuals because they consistently adapt better to aquarium life than large, heavy colonies.
Most pieces grow as rounded balls or smooth, cushion-like lobes, though some naturally take on slightly flattened or wavy shapes depending on how they grew on the reef. Color ranges from rich crimson to bright red-orange under different lighting conditions.
Why It’s Spongtacular
Red Ball Sponges add a bold pop of color and a sculptural, rounded form that stands out beautifully against rockwork, macroalgae, and corals. Their tidy footprint makes them easy to place as an accent “reef jewel” rather than a dominating centerpiece.
In the wild, these sponges inhabit a wide range of hard-bottom habitats, from shallower inshore areas to deeper offshore ledges. That natural adaptability translates well to aquariums with stable water quality and regular feeding, making them a rewarding choice for sponge and NPS enthusiasts with established systems.
Care & Placement
Like most non-photosynthetic sponges, Red Ball Sponges thrive best in mature, nutrient-rich reef systems with plenty of microfauna and consistent parameters. They rely on a steady supply of fine suspended foods rather than light, so regular feeding is key to long-term success.
Offer moderate to strong, indirect flow so water moves through the sponge without blasting its tissue. Low to moderate light is ideal, and shaded or partially shaded rockwork often works best. Attach the sponge securely to rock (either gently wedged into a crevice or fixed with reef-safe glue or epoxy) and avoid placing it directly on sand where the base can suffocate.
During acclimation, a brief transfer through the air is generally well tolerated, but avoid letting the sponge dry out or trapping air inside its channels. A slow, deliberate submersion with a gentle tilt helps release any bubbles and protects the internal structure.
Sizing
Each specimen typically measures around 2–3 inches across. Shapes vary naturally from near-perfect spheres to slightly flattened, lobed, or wavy forms. We selectively harvest this size range because it ships reliably and adapts more easily than oversized, older sponges.
Traits
Difficulty Intermediate–Advanced
Placement Rockwork / shaded areas
Lighting Low–Moderate
Flow Moderate–Strong, indirect
A Note from the Collectors
Every sponge we offer is hand-collected, acclimated, and observed by our team before shipping. While we carefully remove debris, algae, and tiny hitchhikers, a few reef passengers may still tag along. It’s a natural part of receiving genuine wild-collected specimens from Florida’s reefs.
Shipping
We ship sponges Monday and Tuesday only via 2-Day service to minimize transit time and stress.
