[2] Individuals grow in large lobes with small openings and are formed by a mesh of primary and secondary fibers.

[3][2][12][13] Spongia officinalis grows in massive, globular lobes with fine openings which are slightly elevated and have cone-shaped voids (conules).

[2] The primary fibers are 50 to 100 nanometers in diameter and are composed of spongin and inclusions such as sand grains and spicules.

[3] Spongia officinalis can be found in the Mediterranean Sea along the coasts of Croatia, Greece, the Aegean islands, Turkey, Cyprus, Syria, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Italy, France and Spain.

[2][3] They will grow on littoral rocky surfaces, sandy bottoms, and vertical walls in well-oxygenated water.

[8] Sperm is captured by females and is transported to oocytes within the sponge where fertilization takes place.

[8] After fertilization, S. officinalis embryos develop in choanosomal tissue of the female sponge.

[10] Therefore, they only remain as a free-floating larva for a short period before settling on a benthic surface where they grow into an adult sponge.

[14] The common names "bath sponge," "Fina Dalmata," and "Matapas" are usually used to refer to this species.

[2] Traditionally, sponge fishing was practiced by Greeks who dove underwater to collect specimens.

Around 1910 to 1930, an underwater breathing device was created and, since then, this method of sponge fishing has continually grown in popularity.

[2] As S. officinalis populations declined due to over-harvest, as discussed below, interest in cultivation increased.

Although the efforts were successful, sponge farming activity did not increase significantly until the end of the 20th century and currently, it is performed worldwide.

Sponge farming not only decreases stress on S. officinalis populations, it also can be used as a sustainable method to reduce marine organic pollution because, sponges being filter feeders, they efficiently remove organic suspended particles from water.

[2][3][12][13]Over-harvesting and sponge disease have led to a decrease in Mediterranean S. officinalis populations.

[3] In addition to this, a sponge disease caused by pathogenic bacteria and fungi has further reduced populations.

[2][3] Baldacconi, R., et al. "Sexual reproduction, larval development and release in Spongia officinalis L.(Porifera, Demospongiae) from the Apulian coast."

Baldacconi, Rossella, et al. "Transplantation of Spongia officinalis L.(Porifera, Demospongiae): a technical approach for restocking this endangered species."

Gaino, Elda, et al. "Mortality of commercial sponges: incidence in two Mediterranean areas."

"Mediterranean commercial sponges: over 5000 years of natural history and cultural heritage."

Riesgo, Ana, et al. "Some like it fat: comparative ultrastructure of the embryo in two Demosponges of the Genus Mycale (Order Poecilosclerida) from Antarctica and the Caribbean."

adriatica (Schmidt)(Porifera, Demospongiae) on bacterioplankton: implications for bioremediation of polluted seawater."