Giant Caribbean Barrel Sponge

Xestospongia muta

Sighting evidence at Black Coral Garden, María la Gorda

Specimens here regularly exceed 1.5 m in diameter, among the largest documented along Cuba's south coast. Each barrel shelters resident flamingo tongue cowries, cleaning stations visited by queen angelfish, and amphipod communities living inside the osculum. Their longevity — some individuals estimated at several hundred years — makes them sentinel organisms for reef health monitoring.

Evidence at this site

1 record within 25 km

Confidence: low

Last confirmed Jan 2026

Seasonality

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How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.