Sponge spawning?

[Streydog]

Saw a few of these one morning last month on Columbia.

 

[Sushi Boy]

very cool!

 

[agd]

I am in Bonaire now, but witnessed the same thing. Some of the tall stove pipe sponges were smoking just like.... a stove pipe.

 

[ScubaTony]

Its a very cool sight to see. It still happens a few times a year and I have never been able to figure out when. The thing is the sponges all seem to know when the orgy will begin. I remember before hurricane Wilma when the spawning would actually leave a hairy froth across the reef for several days after the event. It would ruin visibility for a day or two. I haven't seen that much in a long time but was still cool. Accept if you think much about what you are swimming through? MIght want a good rinse after the dive!