Black Sponge

[rja]

Hey all,
Got what looks to be a black sponge growing in my tank. I can see a clear circular mouth or outlet pipe on it. Aren’t most sponges generally harmless and if anything slightly beneficial on an infinitesimally small level?

 

[JaimeAdams]

It's probably a liver sponge. Yes, they are good guys.

 

[WheatToast]

Might also be a tunicate based on the shape. These should close up when disturbed, unlike sponges, but both are generally harmless filter-feeders.

 

[OldRed1]

Might also be a tunicate based on the shape. These should close up when disturbed, unlike sponges, but both are generally harmless filter-feeders.

My guess was tunicate, too.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

It's probably a liver sponge. Yes, they are good guys.

Isn't there an invasive, coral smothering black sponge? I have some that prefers high flow and keeps trying to envelope my galaxea... :(

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Isn't there an invasive, coral smothering black sponge? I have some that prefers high flow and keeps trying to envelope my galaxea... :(

Terpios hoshinota is the sponge. Apparently it can be beaten back/smothered by some corals/coralline algaes.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hey all,
Got what looks to be a black sponge growing in my tank. I can see a clear circular mouth or outlet pipe on it. Aren’t most sponges generally harmless and if anything slightly beneficial on an infinitesimally small level?

Its a filter feeding tiunicate

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Terpios hoshinota is the sponge. Apparently it can be beaten back/smothered by some corals/coralline algaes.

It peels off pretty easily but I use a dental pick to get between the galaxea corallites.
If/when I finally get my new tank, I'll do a thorough "cleaning" and remove as much of the sponge as possible when I break down the scape.
Do you know if Terpios hoshinota is affected when exposed to air?

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

It peels off pretty easily but I use a dental pick to get between the galaxea corallites.
If/when I finally get my new tank, I'll do a thorough "cleaning" and remove as much of the sponge as possible when I break down the scape.
Do you know if Terpios hoshinota is affected when exposed to air?

I don't know (though it theoretically should be). If it is T. hoshinota overtaking your corals though, it can be killed by shading it* (they shaded it at like 30% natural sunlight for 10 days and found it died and didn't grow back). So, I'd imagine that either reducing your lights or doing a multiday blackout period should be able to kill it.

*The study:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318973690_Short-term_in_situ_shading_effectively_mitigates_linear_progression_of_coral-killing_sponge_Terpios_hoshinota

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I don't know (though it theoretically should be). If it is T. hoshinota overtaking your corals though, it can be killed by shading it* (they shaded it at like 30% natural sunlight for 10 days and found it died and didn't grow back). So, I'd imagine that either reducing your lights or doing a multiday blackout period should be able to kill it.

*The study:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318973690_Short-term_in_situ_shading_effectively_mitigates_linear_progression_of_coral-killing_sponge_Terpios_hoshinota

This one grows in the shade...

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

This one grows in the shade...

I'd assume it's a different species then (so air exposure - from what I've read - may be a good idea to try).