Algae or sponge??

[kmullen1]

Help! I just noticed this growing in two places on rock in my tank. What is it?! Do I need to get rid of it? I’ve never seen anything like this. Tried Google Lens and it wasn’t successful in identifying it. Looked through threads here and didn’t find anything that looked like it. Any info is much appreciated!

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

Looks like a sponge. I have similar things growing on the branches of my nemenzophyllia, to kill it just expose it to air. Though before you do anything I'd get @ISpeakForTheSeas opinion

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Yeah, probably sponges - unless they start growing over and smothering corals, they should be harmless filter feeders. Some can be a bit invasive, but you should be able to scrape them off as needed/wanted to clear some space.

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

Yeah, probably sponges - unless they start growing over and smothering corals, they should be harmless filter feeders. Some can be a bit invasive, but you should be able to scrape them off as needed/wanted to clear some space.

Thats what I thought, I have something similar growing on the base of my nemenzophyllia, right up to where the polyp tissue starts. Should I just leave it? The polyp itself dosent seem too bothered, but it is a sponge so. What do you think would be the best course of action?

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Thats what I thought, I have something similar growing on the base of my nemenzophyllia, right up to where the polyp tissue starts. Should I just leave it? The polyp itself dosent seem too bothered, but it is a sponge so. What do you think would be the best course of action?

If you're concerned about it, then you can trim it back (peace of mind is probably more worthwhile for you than the sponge is).

That said, if it's not bothering the coral and it's not growing over the top of the coral (blocking the light from reaching the coral), then it's probably fine to leave.

 

[kmullen1]

Yeah, probably sponges - unless they start growing over and smothering corals, they should be harmless filter feeders. Some can be a bit invasive, but you should be able to scrape them off as needed/wanted to clear some space.

Thanks for the input. I’ll leave them be for now. If they become a problem then I can deal with it. Thanks again!!