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Branches
Some sea sponges look like tree branches. The red tree sponge grows as tall as eight inches. Red-orange branching sponges are branching sponges that are upright. They have a bumpy-rough exterior. They mostly live near coral reef tops.
Geometric Shapes
Some sea sponges look like vases. Vase sponges have a deep central cavity, one of their most distinctive features. Its color has a range of purple, red and brown. These sponges often attach themselves to rocks and sandy parts of the ocean. The barrel sea sponge can grow large enough to fit a person inside. The orange ball sponge forms a ball and has excurrent siphons all over its surface.
Tubes
The tube sponges are not only among a few blue sponge species, but are among only a few blue invertebrates. Some look gray or gray-green. The tubes serve as places for the sponges to eject water. The brown tube sponge has smooth walls and is brown to tan-colored. While grown in clusters, they all join at the base. The yellow calcareous sponge is bright yellow and made from intertwined tubes. They mostly live in caves. The fire sponge has a volcano-like opening. They have color ranging from orange to bright red. They have toxins that irritate the skin.
Yellow Sponges
Yellow sponges from colonies of sponges. They are small and have been larger bottoms and narrower tops, with holes. The yellow sponge attaches itself on the reef face.
Encrusting Sponges
Some sea sponges grow around objects, mostly coral. The elephant ear sponge is a meter and a half across and has an elephant ear shape. The red encrusting sponge takes the form of bright red sheets.
Colonies
Some sponges have papillatons -- colonies of organisms that grow on colonies of organisms -- that are reminiscent of octopus suckers. They have red and white color and appear on dead coral. The orange king sponge is bright orange to yellow and has white excurrent siphons, which are structures that release water. These sponges protect stony corals from bio-erosion from other sponge species.