Can someone ID this growth?

pbenjbear2 · Apr 7, 2020

We are discovering an abundance of these white "whisker" like things amongst our rocks. Our tank is currently fallow except for our CUC which includes 2 peppermint shrimp added 2wks ago for an aptasia we discovered. Wondering if this is the start of an aptasia population?

hyprc · Apr 7, 2020

Almost looks like some type of macro algae slowly coming back. Not sure about the round spots in the first pic. Lets hope not some type of caulerpa.

Mike N · Apr 7, 2020

First picture shows pineapple sponges. Second shows white sponge growing.
Nothing to worry about. I think the pineapples are unsightly, but they typically stay out of the light.

Eagle_Steve · Apr 7, 2020

Those are sponges. First pic kinda looks like pineapple sponges. Google them and compare to what you have.

second pic looks like a sponge I cannot remember the name. If they are white and kinda stringy looking with new runs branching out, then they are what I am thinking of.

Both are harmless and will self regulate with their population. The white stringy ones can annoy things by touching them, but they don’t actually hurt anything.