???? Any help ????

[sabrinagraham]

Can anyone tell me what this is? It looks like spikes/shavings and my toadstool looks like it's coming off of my frag plug. It also looks like it's stuck in it.

Best pictures I can get.

 

[twilliard]

That has to be one of the more odd things I have seen!
Looks like an irritant for sure. Is it solid or soft?
@KJ

 

[evolved]

Is it a maricultured piece? It looks like the base it's on is a cultured piece, hence why I ask. If so, I bet this is something they're intentionally doing in the man-made rock to help leathers attach.

 

[WetWhistle]

They are called Sclerites. That is soft coral equivalent to a calcium skeleton. It is made up of calcium to give the soft coral the ability to remain rigid yet have the ability of movement.

 

[evolved]

They are called Sclerites. That is soft coral equivalent to a calcium skeleton. It is made up of calcium to give the soft coral the ability to remain rigid yet have the ability of movement.

Yup; that's right - forgot all about this.

 

[WetWhistle]

They are not something you see to often so it is easy to forget about. In this case before it was bought a piece died or one moved and left them behind.

Side note don't poke yourself with one of it or it will hurt like crazy and you can get an infection.

 

[twilliard]

Learn something new every day!

 

[sabrinagraham]

So is it something I need to be concerned with or just let it be?

 

[sabrinagraham]

It looks like my toadstool is moving or pulling off the plate. Is it trying to move itself?

 

[WetWhistle]

Nope I would not worry about them I never have. They should start to break down over time and add a little extra calcium to the water. Unless you are really worried or don't like the look of them you can scrape them off.

Oh also they are used as a predatory defense. If a predator takes a mouthful of tissue with them in it, they quickly spit it out as it shreds the mouth in most fish.