Pineapple sponge - let it stay or nuke?

Butuz · Jan 31, 2019

Guys, earlier today I discovered pineapple sponge that was bothering my zoa. Removed that one, then later researched and found out that many people say its actually very good for the tank and arguably more rare than any zoa. Well, I just found another one, about the size of a nickel on the back wall, growing next to my GSP frag.

Whats the verdict on this thing, should I keep it? Do they tend to take over the tank? Or shoidl I remove?

kichimark · Jan 31, 2019

I would not go so far and say they are more rare than any type of zoa. Sponges are excellent filter feeders in your system and are interesting in their own regard. My pineapples tend to grow more in covered areas or in the filtration sections of the tank. I never had them explode in population and cause issues. Even if they did they would be easy to remove. It is not like it is aptasia haha. So, I would let it stay.

Davisma · Jan 31, 2019

I've seen them choke out zoas pretty easy. It's up to you whether to keep them but I'd rather have zoas personally. not sure about them vs GSP, they both can smother zoanthids

KrisReef · Jan 31, 2019

If it is the size of a nickel, that seems pretty large for the pineapple sponges that I have seen? Got a picture?

DSC reef · Jan 31, 2019

If it's a pineapple sponge I'd let it stay. Some sponges can smother corals but never had an issue with pineapple sponges.

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 31, 2019

Nickel sized isn’t a pineapple sponge.
Scape it off the corals and let it find a new home.

Saveafish · Jan 31, 2019

If its a pineapple sponge, it'd be the size and shape of a Q-tip end.

Butuz · Jan 31, 2019

Thanks, guys. I will take a pic tomorrow for a final positive id.

garbled · Feb 1, 2019

I've had some that weren't pineapple, but very similar. Basically little white balls, but instead of the one hole and "fronds" of a pineapple, they have a bunch of holes all over. Usually they get to be nickel sized. My sponge book just says "golf ball sponge"..

Butuz · Feb 1, 2019

Hi guys, managed to take a pic early this morning before GSP opened up and covered it. The size is about 1/2 inches in diameter roughly. Sorry, bad pic, this thing is glued to the back wall. Please let me know your thought. Should I completely remove? Or relocate to a rock so it doesnt bother or bulge GSP on the back wall?

saltyfilmfolks · Feb 1, 2019

Ball sponge. If you don’t like it you can move it

Butuz · Feb 1, 2019

saltyfilmfolks said:
Ball sponge. If you don’t like it you can move it

Thanks, I will remove it conpletely, unless there is benefit, in that case, I can relocate him elsewhere. Are they serving any particular role (other than filter feeding)?

Butuz · Feb 1, 2019

Ok, just read Jake’s article below. Not keeping this guy.

https://reefbuilders.com/2018/04/02/five-reasons-sponges-are-bad-for-a-coral-reef-tank/

DSC reef · Feb 1, 2019

IMO, I'd take that article with a grain of salt. There's so many species of sponges and for that article to paint them as bad for a reef aquarium is just false. We grew all kinds of sponge over many years and as long as the sponge did not over grow a coral we left them be as I like diversity. Never had them out compete our corals.

garbled · Feb 1, 2019

Wow. I just read that.

It's not often that I disagree with literally every word in an article...

Rakie · Feb 1, 2019

Just relocate them.

This is my sponge garden in my sump, they are thriving and growing well.

Love the things.

Oh yeah, and I have a plating sponge in my frag tank. it's pretty cool so I'm letting it do it's thing. I also believe it's photosynthetic so I don't expect they'd be happy in my dark sump.

saltyfilmfolks · Feb 2, 2019

DSC reef said:
IMO, I'd take that article with a grain of salt. There's so many species of sponges and for that article to paint them as bad for a reef aquarium is just false. We grew all kinds of sponge over many years and as long as the sponge did not over grow a coral we left them be as I like diversity. Never had them out compete our corals.

Waht was jake smoking that day?

Other reasearch says it’s sponges corralines and other microfauna that’s send chemical signals for corals to entrust and polyps to land and root. Odd.
Part of the cryptic zone research.