sponge issue, kinda.....

[rapture]

so I took a rock out of a sump because it had this really cool sponge growing on 50% of the rock and placed it in my main display, its just an off white sponge that is 1/2 in thick but growing. after 3 weeks in the tank it seems to want to take over anything around it. I had a hammer that is pretty big next to it and it took over the stalk of the branches growing up to the heads. doesn't seem to be affecting the hammer heads. just looks funny. it seems to be spreading onto other rocks around it as well. its definently a sponge. looks like what I wash my dishes with , could this stuff become an issue?

 

[TarHeelReefer22]

I would say that anything that is becoming that invasive and aggressive has the potential to being a problem down the road. Although sponges don't sting like corals can sting each other I would be more concerned about it blocking flow, light, and in general just taking up space in your display for other corals.

 

[Russellaqua]

I agree with TarHeelReefer. If after only 3 weeks you are starting to become concerned, imagine what things will be like 3 months from now. Some sponges aren't fast growers, others are. Seems like you got a fast one. Either way, I'd remove the rock it is on. Sponges are capable of regenerating from a single cell left behind, so scraping it off might not work.

 

[rapture]

i see what you guys mean. i was in hopes it would grow up not out . looks like its going back into the sump

 

[TarHeelReefer22]

If you can ID the sponge and really like it there are several other inverts like nudis and some shrimp that eat sponges that might be able to keep it in check which would be kind of cool too