A boring sponge

Not just any old sponge that is a bit tedious, but the Red Boring Sponge.

It's called the boring sponge as it drills into coral and sea shells. The sponge breaks down dead and diseased (and sometimes live) coral.

In "normal" conditions they play an important part in the reef, recycling calcium carbonate. But if the coral is struggling due to high temperatures or pollution, the boring sponges can erode the reef faster than the corals can replace it. #scubadiving

Acropora coral amongst xenia in the Red Sea

If you've dived in the Red Sea you will have seen pulsating soft coral repetitively "grabbing" at the water. They are so common that we take them for granted. But only one family of coral does this - the Xeniidae.

#scubadiving #underwaterphoto
#coral

Love these cartoons by Christian Talbot and Sophie Hodge