It occurs at moderate depths in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea and often has a colonial coral growing over the surface.

On the side of these tubes there are deep grooves and shallow cup shaped depressions up to 2.5 cm (1 in) across each occupied by a dark reddish brown zoanthid (Parazoanthus sp.).

[1][3] It typically occurs on reefs at depths between 15 and 45 metres (49 and 148 ft) in positions where there is a strong current and the water is clear.

The current flowing over the top of the sponge draws in water through small pores near the base called ostia.

[5] The brown tubular sponge produces a secondary metabolite, sceptrina, an alkaloid with antimicrobial properties.