Niphates erectaDuchassaing & Michelotti, 1864 Haplosclerida, Niphatidae Common Name(s): Lavender rope sponge Growth Form: Highly variable, including erect branching, branched or unbranched runners, and massive encrusting lobes with or without branches; branches up to 2 cm across and 30 cm long.

Niphates erecta These tangled masses of lavender to pink colored, very porous sponges are often times covered with Sponge Zoanthids. At times the Sponge Zoanthids are so thick, the sponge looks brown rather than pink or lavender as in picture #4 (See photos 3 - 8).