Habitat: It is common on mangrove roots, and occasionally on peat banks, and on shallow reefs habitats. Distribution: Caribbean wide. Natural History Notes: Scopalina ruetzleri sponges can be used as bioindicators of changes in environmental conditions around mangroves. Characteristics: Thin to thick encrusting (0.5-2 cm thick). Bright orange to yellowish orange, externally and internally. The surface is conulose. The consistency is very soft and limp. Notes: This species was previously reported by Hector Guzman as Ulosa ruetzleri