Opinions on this sponge growing in DT

exnisstech · Nov 21, 2023

Looking for opinions as to whether or not I should be concerned about this sponge growing in one of my tanks. At least I think it's sponge. I've had sponges like this in my sump but don't remember ever seeing them in the DT. It's not bothering me but if it's invasive I may need to redo some rock work. It was staying in the fully shaded area but looks like it is just starting to creep out into the light just a bit at the bottom. I tried getting pics under different lighting. I cranked whites up, the area where the sponge is growing is ussualy more shaded.
Tank was set up 2/20/23 using all dry rock but I did add a tray of rock rubble from another sump to jump start it a bit.

FTS with the rock circled for reference

Pics of the sponge. The little dead frag was not caused by the sponge. It never did well and I moved it to a lower light area as a last attempt to save it and just haven't removed it yet.

ISpeakForTheSeas · Nov 21, 2023

If it’s starting to grow out into the light, I’d definitely keep an eye on it. That said, if it does expand into the light, unless it grows really slowly, I’d assume it’s going to be invasive (not necessarily harmful, but invasive).

Lavey29 · Nov 21, 2023

My eyes are terrible but I have some large sponges in my sump and my DT. I have a large orange one with tentacles like an octopus living my zoa patch. Times like this I just let the tank do what comes natural in the ocean. Seems like they develop a symbiotic relationship or something. There's bivalves mixed in there too.

RedoubtReef · Nov 21, 2023

I think it's cool! Healthy tank if you ask me.

exnisstech · Nov 21, 2023

ISpeakForTheSeas said:
If it’s starting to grow out into the light, I’d definitely keep an eye on it. That said, if it does expand into the light, unless it grows really slowly, I’d assume it’s going to be invasive (not necessarily harmful, but invasive).

Lavey29 said:
My eyes are terrible but I have some large sponges in my sump and my DT. I have a large orange one with tentacles like an octopus living my zoa patch. Times like this I just let the tank do what comes natural in the ocean. Seems like they develop a symbiotic relationship or something. There's bivalves mixed in there too.

RedoubtReef said:
I think it's cool! Healthy tank if you ask me.

Thanks all. I was curious more than anything. Even if it expands the garf bonsai rock is not glued and the whole end where the sponge is at isn't glued either so removal would be easy. I'm normally a let things go as they go person but I have to keep a closer eye on this tank. Actually I think it's pretty cool to have something like this growing on dry rock after only 9 months and will probably toss it in another tank where I house misfits if it gets out of hand.