The family Clionaidae d’Orbigny, 1851, includes excavating sponges characterized by tylostyles and a diverse range of microscleres, including spirasters, amphiasters, microxeas, spiral microstrongyles, and derivatives lacking altogether. Despite recent taxonomic advances, generic boundaries within the family remain problematic due to overlapping morphological characters and a complex nomenclatural history. At present, 10 genera are recognized within Clionaidae, with Cliona and Spheciospongia being the most species-rich, whereas Clionaopsis and Cervicornia are monotypic and geographically restricted. Here, we examine clionaid material collected from northeastern Brazil through dredging, trawling, and manual collection, and address taxonomic uncertainties within the family. We describe a new species of Clionaopsis, which provide a detailed characterization of Cervicornia cuspidifera, and redescribe Spheciospongia symbiotica based on a reassessment of the type material. Comparative analyses of external morphology and spicule complements revealed that, although Clionaopsis heraldoi sp. nov. and C. cuspidifera share a similar external morphology, differences in their skeletal characters, particularly in the composition of the spicule complements, support their placement in distinct genera. These findings refine species-level diagnoses, clarify generic boundaries within Clionaidae, and emphasize the importance of comprehensive morphological assessments—beyond external characters alone—for accurate taxonomy and biodiversity studies of excavating sponges.