Sponges

Sponges, the members of the phylum Porifera, are a basal Metazoa clade as a sister of the Diploblasts. They are multicellular organisms that have bodies full of pores and channels allowing water to circulate through them, consisting of jelly-like mesohyl sandwiched between two thin layers of cells. Wikipedia
True identification can only be ascertained under a microscope, although here we show pictures of typical sponges known to be around the area of Gozo, Malta.

Spirastrella cunctatrix Orange Encrusting

This is an encrusting sponge, it is a few millimtres thisk, but can be up to a metre in diameter.

Spongia (Spongia) officinalis

Not to be confused with Sarcotragus foetidus. Spongia (Spongia) officinalis formerly Spongia officinalis has recently been changed as a subgenus spongia was introduced. Spongia (Spongia) officinalis, is commonly known as the Mediterranean bath sponge. It has a surface which is "finely conulose," meaning it features many small, cone-shaped projections (conules). Rare to see now due to being taken for use as a bath sponge. Visual representation cannot be relied upon to accurately identify this sponge.

Single-cell Organism

NOT A SPONGE

Miniacina miniacea although classed as an invertebrate, it is not in the Animalia kingdom but is in the chromista kingdom. It is a unicellular organism that builds pink, multi-chambered calcareous shells. It is therefore characterized by its vibrant pink-to-red, raspberry-like, or branched calcareous test (shell). Although it is a relatively large, single-celled organism, it only grows to about 10mm in height. It can be found in hard-bottom habitats, growing attached to rocks also on the leaves and stems of Posidonia ceanica.

Miniacina miniacea