Aussie Gold Torch with a covering on the stem

[hsingh]

Hi there,
I have an Aussie Gold Torch that’s been opening well, had it almost a year now and even though it’s grown larger, it’s not split into multiple heads. I noticed that there was some sort of covering over the stem and took the torch out to investigate. The covering is soft but does seem to be part of the torch. I ended up damaging some as I removed a vermitid snail (see picture). Is this covering part of the torch? Or do I need to remove it? The second picture shows the spot where I removed the vermitid snail)

 

[MERKEY]

I dont know what it is...could be a sponge but the way its entrusting the coral and plug is interesting, and the color is intriguing.

 

[hsingh]

It was a sponge. I removed it and now the torch is opening up a lot more then it used to