Venus' flower basket

※Off display.

This species of sponge is found at depths of around 200 meters. It forms a tubular shape made from interlinked glass-like silica spicules. Like a plant, the base of the sponge attaches itself to the muddy sea floor to support its body. It usually stands upright on the sea floor, but in areas with stronger currents, it can fall sideways as in the second image that was photographed by the unmanned submarine.
 Inside of a Venus’ flower basket is a pair of shrimp-like decapod crustaceans (Spongicola venustus) that dwell in its hollow form their whole life. In English it is named the Venus’ flower basket due to the love of the pair. The Japanese name kairo douketsu also refers to the long-lasting love between the couple.