Crumb of bread sponge Halichondria panacea
Halichondria panacea marine sponge
Crumb of bread sponge close-up
Halichondria panacea underwater sponge
Crumb of bread sponge Halichondria panacea
Halichondria panacea marine sponge
Crumb of bread sponge close-up
Halichondria panacea underwater sponge

Crumb of Bread Sponge (Halichondria panacea)

from $165.00
Quantity:

Live Crumb-of-Bread Sponge (Halichondria panicea)
Please note this is a live marine specimen.

The Crumb-of-Bread Sponge (Halichondria panicea) is a soft, porous poriferan found along the lower intertidal zones of Maine’s rocky coast. This species often forms irregular, cushion-like clumps in shades of yellow and green, coating the undersides of rocks or anchoring amid kelp holdfasts. Named for its resemblance to wet bread crumbs, this sponge is an active filter feeder—drawing in seawater to extract microscopic food particles and oxygen. Sustainably hand-collected from the Gulf of Maine, each specimen is ideal for aquariums, classroom observation, or marine biology study of sponge anatomy, water filtration, and benthic ecosystems.

Key Facts:
Common name: Crumb sponge, crumb-of-bread sponge
Scientific name: Halichondria panicea
Locations: Lower intertidal on undersides of large rocks or amid kelp holdfasts
Seasonality: Available year round
Colors: Yellow and green
Size: Clumps of sponge typically 3” – 6” in size
Collected: By hand
Quantity: Sold by the clump
Note: This is a live marine specimen. Natural variations in size, color, and appearance from photos should be expected. If you would like any specimen preserved, please send a request to: info@gulfofme.com

Live Crumb-of-Bread Sponge (Halichondria panicea)
Please note this is a live marine specimen.

The Crumb-of-Bread Sponge (Halichondria panicea) is a soft, porous poriferan found along the lower intertidal zones of Maine’s rocky coast. This species often forms irregular, cushion-like clumps in shades of yellow and green, coating the undersides of rocks or anchoring amid kelp holdfasts. Named for its resemblance to wet bread crumbs, this sponge is an active filter feeder—drawing in seawater to extract microscopic food particles and oxygen. Sustainably hand-collected from the Gulf of Maine, each specimen is ideal for aquariums, classroom observation, or marine biology study of sponge anatomy, water filtration, and benthic ecosystems.

Key Facts:
Common name: Crumb sponge, crumb-of-bread sponge
Scientific name: Halichondria panicea
Locations: Lower intertidal on undersides of large rocks or amid kelp holdfasts
Seasonality: Available year round
Colors: Yellow and green
Size: Clumps of sponge typically 3” – 6” in size
Collected: By hand
Quantity: Sold by the clump
Note: This is a live marine specimen. Natural variations in size, color, and appearance from photos should be expected. If you would like any specimen preserved, please send a request to: info@gulfofme.com

Please Contact for Wholesale Pricing

This photo shows a crumb of bread sponge which a seaweed plant has created a holdfast with.

This photo shows a crumb of bread sponge which a seaweed plant has created a holdfast with.

Tidepool Tim says,  “Crumb of bread is the most common sponge one will see in the tidepools around Cobscook bay in eastern Maine where I do my collecting.  It can be found as a mat or layer on the undersides of large stones. Other times it comes ashore having grown into the crevices amidst laminaria kelp holdfasts and other times it is just a thick carpet on the sea floor where blood stars, sea urchins, Irish moss, rock gunnels and other specimens are all in close proximity.  The larger holes or oscula are irregular across the surface and usually project up from the sponge perhaps 1/4" to 1/2" projections. Sometimes this sponge has a type of algae that grows inside its spicules - this will make the otherwise yellow sponge kind of green. Crumb sponge adds great color and nice structure in a coldwater aquarium.  It seems to survive quite well for months or even years in good clean sea water. Given its name - it really does look like a big gob of wet bread - even breaks off in clumps!”