Cliona delitrix is a species of burrowing demosponge belonging to the family Clionaidae. It is found in shallow water in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

Description Cliona delitrix is a burrowing sponge that is also encrusting. It usually grows on a massive coral, not only covering its surface but also burrowing into its interior, but is sometimes found on some other calcareous substrate such as a shell or a limestone rock. It does not normally grow on branching corals. It can grow to a diameter of up to a metre (yard) and has several large openings called osculi, 10 to 30 mm (0.4 to 1.2 in) wide, surrounded by projecting rims and many small raised papillae 2 to 5 mm (0.1 to 0.2 in) wide. The colour is usually red or dark orange.

Distribution and habitat Cliona delitrix is found in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico at depths down to 4 metres (13 ft). Its range extends from Cuba and Mexico south to Venezuela and Brazil. It is abundant in some areas especially where there is organic pollution.