There are several species in this genus. They can be very difficult to tell apart. Some such as Haliclona venustina are very shiny and can be bright pink others such as Haliclona clathrata can be thick orange/yellow with large oscukes (openings) on the surface.

On most hard surfaces from low intertidal to subtidal.

These are filter feeders, feeding on particles and plankton in the water.

Reproduce by either budding or releasing eggs and sperm into the water to form a planktonic larva, which drifts with the current until it settles onto a hard surface.

Photo Credit: Rod Morris. Photos can be purchased from https://www.rodmorris.co.nz/