Blue photosynthetic sponge (Lendenfeldia chondrodes) care guide

Group
Other invertebrates
Other names
Blue sponge, Blue encrusting sponge, Photosynthetic sponge
Family
Thorectidae
Origin
Indo-Pacific reefs; widely spread in aquariums on rock and frags
Water
saltwater
Temperature
22–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
SG 1.023–1.025, dKH 8–12
Care level
beginner
Temperament
peaceful
Reef safe
with_caution
Flow
Moderate

Care

This is a blue to purple-blue sponge that grows as flat, encrusting sheets, lobes and short fingers on and under rock. It is one of the few sponges that does well in home reef tanks, because it hosts photosynthetic cyanobacteria that supply much of its food. It often arrives on live rock or coral frags, and it is also traded as aquacultured pieces. Care: give it moderate light and flow. It usually grows best in shaded spots, under ledges or on the back of rockwork, and can spread steadily in a mature tank. Keep it under water when moving it, because air trapped in a sponge can kill parts of it. Role and caveats: most keepers treat it as a harmless, attractive addition that also filters fine particles. It can, however, overgrow and smother corals, especially encrusting and slow-growing ones, and it can spread through rockwork and into overflows and sumps, so trim it back if it gets too close to corals. It is marked with caution for this reason. Our sources have little on this species; the figures are general guidance, not from a source. Copper: copper-based medicines and some plant fertilisers are toxic to shrimp, snails and most invertebrates. Never dose copper in a tank holding this animal, and check fertiliser and medicine labels before use. Sources: none found for this species; general hobby knowledge. Checked October 2026.

Diet

Mainly fed by its symbiotic cyanobacteria under light, plus fine particles filtered from the water. It needs no target feeding in a normal reef tank, unlike most sponges, which are hard to keep fed and often starve.

Breeding

Spreads in aquariums by growth and by pieces breaking off and reattaching. Fragment by cutting a piece and attaching it to rock with a rubber band or thread until it grows on.

Compatibility and tank mates

Generally harmless to fish and invertebrates. Can overgrow encrusting corals, zoanthids and slow-growing stony corals. Some angelfish and other sponge-eating fish may graze it.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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