Leather stem looks funky

[sernum]

Cause for concern, or normal response to something?

Other than this "rash with horns" he's seems happy. All other corals happy, and healthy.
Water params normal, no changes in tank recently.

 

[PolypPocket]

Weird, they kind of look like tunicates but probably not that. Maybe a sponge?

 

[sernum]

Had to research tunicates and sponge, but that seems a reasonable assessment.
Treat it, or let it go?

 

[PolypPocket]

Had to research tunicates and sponge, but that seems a reasonable assessment.
Treat it, or let it go?

Well as far as I know if it’s a sponge it usually doesn’t hurt anything (based on what I’ve read here). But it would be better if someone more knowledgeable answers. However in the meantime it should be fine, especially since you said the coral is acting normally.

Look up pineapple sponge and see if that looks like it.

#reefs#reefsquad

 

[keagan]

@ISpeakForTheSeas
@EnterName
#reefsquad

They don't look like pineapple sponges to me. They do look like they could be tunicates IMO but I'm not confident in that.

Side note some encrusting sponges (not what's above) can be bad news. Not all sponges are harmless some can overgrow coral.

 

[Fish Fan]

Definitely not pineapple sponges, some kind of tunicate seems likely to me.

 

[PolypPocket]

@ISpeakForTheSeas
@EnterName
#reefsquad

They don't look like pineapple sponges to me. They do look like they could be tunicates IMO but I'm not confident in that.

Side note some encrusting sponges (not what's above) can be bad news. Not all sponges are harmless some can overgrow coral.

Yeah I’m really not qualified to answer haha

 

[keagan]

Yeah I’m really not qualified to answer haha

Sponge and tunicate ID is really difficult so neither am I . But I had a 150 gal full of pineapple sponges so I'm definitely qualified to I.D them haha

 

[EnterName]

I vote tunicate on this one. A tissue sample of the tubes under a microscope would help though. There are so many translucent tunicates, no way I will find a proper ID beyond that
Finding their larvae would freak me out, they look very similar to some parasitic trematodes

I don't like that it's growing on coral tissue, but if it doesn't spread aggressively it should be fine. I think they can regrow from tissue residue which makes removal very difficult without hurting the coral.

 

[sernum]

Thanks for everyone's input it's been really helpful.
Since seems like the general thought is: tunicate.... What's the best method for removal? Cut, scrape, or swab with qtip?

Also the leather has entered into a shedding phase. Is that good for removal, or added complications?
I am a complete rookie here - 6 months into my first ever tank.