T. crypta is characterized by ostia peaking out of its body cavity, with the ability to abruptly open or close, changing the water flow rate through its mesohyl.

In clustered bundles on the surface of the animal are structures called megascleres, radiating and branching outwards.

T. crypta are capable of strong body contractions and allow oscula the ability to move (open/ close) at a quick rate.

In fact, this sponge is capable of closing its osculum completely, which has been proven to be a useful adaptation for an animal living in sandy environments.

The ability to circulate water through bottom sediments possibly makes for a nutrient-rich and attractive environment for other organisms to live in or near the sponges.

[5] The dirty exterior of the sponge smothered in layers of algae/ sediment/ sand serves a purpose to the animal and has been shown to hold structural organization across its species.

[3] Additional analysis through microscopic tools has revealed high selection for allocthonous sponge spicules, radiolarians, and diatoms.

Differentiation between smaller and larger sediments and their corresponding location has proven useful in identifying possible functioning of positioning of these particles on the surface of the sponge.

The forming of the nuclei clusters stabilizes the sponge's body, allowing the animal to alter its skeleton structure.

A radial morphology is then able to change into a branched one, which further allows the animal to develop into its massive, irregular fully-formed shape.

[6] The larger of the sponges, sizing around 1.5–10 litres (0.40–2.64 US gal) in volume are typically found attached to their substrate while the smaller sponges of this species, sizing around 0.5–1.5 litres (0.13–0.40 US gal) in volume are typically found to be unattached and resting freely on their bottom.

[3] The discovery of T. crypta allowed for the development of the first pharmaceutical drugs inspired by sponge-derived natural products.