diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 4699b78..7f179a4 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ Ethereal Mapgen mod for Minetest (works on all except v6)
 
  - Added Etherium ore and dust
  - Added sparse decoration of dry grass and shrub to caves biome
+ - Added sponges that spawn near coral, dry sponge in furnace to soak up water
 
 ### 1.26
 
diff --git a/sealife.lua b/sealife.lua
index aa1a31e..50866de 100644
--- a/sealife.lua
+++ b/sealife.lua
@@ -165,19 +165,24 @@ minetest.register_abm({
 	catch_up = false,
 	action = function(pos, node)
 
-		local sel = math.random(1, 5)
+		local sel = math.random(1, 6)
 
 		pos.y = pos.y + 1
 
 		local nod = minetest.get_node(pos).name
 
+		if nod == "default:water_source"
+		and sel == 6 then
+
+			minetest.swap_node(pos, {name = "ethereal:sponge_wet"})
+
+			return
+		end
+
 		if nod == "default:water_source"
 		and sel > 1 then
 
-			if minetest.get_node(pos).name == "default:water_source" then
-
-				minetest.swap_node(pos, {name = "ethereal:coral" .. sel})
-			end
+			minetest.swap_node(pos, {name = "ethereal:coral" .. sel})
 
 			return
 		end
@@ -206,3 +211,85 @@ minetest.register_abm({
 	end,
 })
 end
+
+-- sponges
+
+minetest.register_node("ethereal:sponge_air", {
+	drawtype = "airlike",
+	paramtype = "light",
+	walkable = false,
+	buildable_to = true,
+	sunlight_propagates = true,
+	pointable = false,
+	drop = "",
+	groups = {not_in_creative_inventory = 1},
+})
+
+
+minetest.register_node("ethereal:sponge", {
+	description = S("Sponge"),
+	tiles = {"ethereal_sponge.png"},
+	groups = {crumbly = 3},
+	sounds = default.node_sound_sand_defaults(),
+
+	after_place_node = function(pos, placer, itemstack, pointed_thing)
+
+		-- get player name
+		local name = placer:get_player_name()
+
+		-- is area protected
+		if minetest.is_protected(pos, name) then
+			return
+		end
+
+		-- get water nodes within range
+		local num = minetest.find_nodes_in_area(
+			{x = pos.x - 3, y = pos.y - 3, z = pos.z - 3},
+			{x = pos.x + 3, y = pos.y + 3, z = pos.z + 3},
+			{"group:water"})
+
+		-- no water
+		if #num == 0 then return end
+
+		-- replace water nodes with sponge air
+		for _, w in pairs(num) do
+
+			if not minetest.is_protected(pos, name) then
+				minetest.swap_node(w, {name = "ethereal:sponge_air"})
+			end
+		end
+
+		-- replace dry sponge with wet sponge
+		minetest.swap_node(pos, {name="ethereal:sponge_wet"})
+	end
+})
+
+
+minetest.register_node("ethereal:sponge_wet", {
+	description = S("Wet sponge"),
+	tiles = {"ethereal_sponge_wet.png"},
+	groups = {crumbly = 3},
+	sounds = default.node_sound_sand_defaults(),
+})
+
+-- cook wet sponge into dry sponge
+minetest.register_craft({
+	type = "cooking",
+	recipe = "ethereal:sponge_wet",
+	output = "ethereal:sponge",
+	cooktime = 3,
+})
+
+-- use leaf decay to remove sponge air nodes
+default.register_leafdecay({
+	trunks = {"ethereal:sponge_wet"},
+	leaves = {"ethereal:sponge_air"},
+	radius = 3
+})
+
+-- dry sponges can be used as fuel
+minetest.register_craft({
+	type = "fuel",
+	recipe = "ethereal:sponge",
+	burntime = 5,
+})
diff --git a/textures/ethereal_sponge.png b/textures/ethereal_sponge.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e739ec4
Binary files /dev/null and b/textures/ethereal_sponge.png differ
diff --git a/textures/ethereal_sponge_wet.png b/textures/ethereal_sponge_wet.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ddf1aac
Binary files /dev/null and b/textures/ethereal_sponge_wet.png differ