Orange Tree Sponge Care
Orange tree sponges (Ptilocaulis sp.) are not common sponges. They live in the Caribbean, Bahamas and occasionally Florida in 40- to 80-foot deep water usually near the tops of coral reefs along ocean bottom ledges. These sponges are usually between eight and 15 inches tall.
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Features
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Orange tree sponges are a type of living animal that has been on earth since life began to evolve. Sponges do not have organs or tissue. They are a very basic life form that behaves like a compilation of separate organisms bound by a coordinated effort for survival. They are shaped like little trees with a trunk and branches. The orange tree sponge will not damage coral that is in the same tank, like some other sponges. It is a peaceful, non-aggressive type of sponge that can live forever in a healthy environment. They have no pre-determined lifespan.
Nutrition
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Orange tree sponges get their nutrition by filtering the water as it flows over them. They are little living water filters and are a beneficial addition to reef aquariums. They will help to filter phytoplankton and other small bits of food, including some chemicals, from the aquarium water. Receiving their nutrition in this way means they do not expend any energy finding and catching food. They simply remain still and allow the food to come to them on the water current.
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Air Exposure
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Orange tree sponges must never be exposed to air. This is an extremely important factor in caring for them. Exposure to air, even only partially or briefly, can easily result in the death of all or part of the animal. Because of the way their body is structured, air will interfere with its ability to filter water for food. One tiny air bubble can block water circulation and disrupt the filtration process. When this process is disrupted, the part of the sponge that is effected by the blockage, which could be all of the sponge, will die from starvation.
The entire transport container that the orange tree sponge came in must be submerged and tipped so that the sponge can be transferred from the container to the aquarium without being exposed to air. This is absolutely crucial to the survival of the sponge.
Aquarium Set-up
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Reef aquariums must have medium level of water flow so that the water gently circulates over the orange tree sponge, and a medium level of light. The lighting is muted in their natural habitat.
Water
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The salt added to a reef aquarium that will house the orange tree sponge should be specially formulated reef salt for reef aquariums. Regular salt water aquarium salt does not contain trace elements and buffers for calcium and pH that are needed by sponges. If regular salt water aquarium salt is used, essential elements and a pH buffer will have to be added prior to introducing the sponge into the aquarium.
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