At least 18 species of sponges occur in the lake, including 14 species from the endemic family Lubomirskiidae (the remaining are from the nonendemic family Spongillidae). In the nearshore regions of Baikal, the largest benthic biomass is sponges. "Lubomirskia baicalensis", "Baikalospongia bacillifera", and "B. intermedia" are unusually large for freshwater sponges and can reach or more. These three are also the most common sponges in the lake. While the "Baikalospongia" species typically have encrusting or carpet-like structures, "L. baikalensis" often has branching structures and in areas where common may form underwater "forests". Most sponges in the lake are typically green when alive because of symbiotic chlorophytes (zoochlorella), but can also be brownish or yellowish.