Hammer Coral: What is this on stem/base?

[NotoriousDMC]

Hello R2R and Happy New Year!!!

I have an otherwise very healthy looking hammer that I just noticed tonight (lights off) has this on it’s stem/base? I’m only about 8 months or so into the hobby and, although I’ve battled some other well known pests (aptasia and vermitids), I’ve been fortunate to not have had any pests affect my several hammers or one torch.

Any ideas if this is just part of the coral or do I need to get this out and dip and brush it?

 

[Nigel35]

could be a very small polyp beginning to grow

 

[SeaworthyAquatics]

If you mean the white stuff, that's an encrusting sponge of some sort from the look of it. Harmless and sign of a healthy tank, but some colored ones can smother soft corals. Some pink and black varieties can grow like mad. Grats on the babies! Looks like you've got a couple new heads growing.

 

[NotoriousDMC]

Thanks! Yes, that’s what I was referring to. I was hoping it was “all good” as the coral looks very healthy and it, and 3 others, are all growing!