Dysida fragilis

Does this large purple organism look like an animal to you? It is! Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary is home to many species of sponge including this one, Dysida fragilis. Sponges like these are the simplest of the multicellular organisms which attach themselves to the sea floor, where they remain for their entire life. To feed, they draw water through their pores and filter small organic materials from the water.