Sponge killed torch?

[Fishfinder]

can a sponge kill a torch? I've had a torch for about 6 months now. I've noticed this white sponge like "thing" slowly growing on the base. It's eventually grown to the top of the head. It's grown up to where the flesh on the torch is. Now that head died. Is this a sponge? I didn't know they could kill corals

 

[DSC reef]

I don't think a sponge could kill a torch. Got any pics?

 

[AlexG]

Some sponges are invasive and can sting. Its possible that a sponge could kill a coral. It can be just like any coral vs coral battle. The one thing you can do though is expose the sponge to air and scrub it off in a separate container. Pictures would be helpful to see the situation and make a positive ID on the sponge.

 

[Davy Jones]

Yes. Had a white-ish/yellow ish sponge growing on my hammer colony, it started encroaching on the flesh that was on the branches and eventually forced a bail out on 2 of the heads before i noticed it was actually damaging the coral. Luckily sponges are easily killed, remove the coral from water and expose it to air. Scrub off larger sections of the sponge and scrape off whats accessible but inevitably the air will kill any sponge tissue that is exposed to it for any decent period of time :)

 

[Fishfinder]

I'm not home at the moment. Out picking up a couple new fish!!!! When I get back I'll pull the coral and snap some pics

 

[jp_75]

I think my hammers just killed Montipora....

 

[DSC reef]

Learned something new. I've always had yellow sponge growing on all our euphyllia corals but it seemed the coral itself always kept in check. I normally prefer sponge in the tank. I can see how it can become envasive.

 

[AlexG]

Learned something new. I've always had yellow sponge growing on all our euphyllia corals but it seemed the coral itself always kept in check. I normally prefer sponge in the tank. I can see how it can become envasive.

I agree that sponges are good if not essential to have in a thriving system. The species of sponge will determine if it is invasive. In my experience the yellow and orange sponges never have been an issue. There is a black stinging sponge I have encountered though that will grow as a white mat under rocks but in the light it will turn black and form tubular columns. The black stinging sponge not only can be painful to handle but I have also seen it go to war with corals and win. There are so many species of sponges though that I find observation to be the best tool in determining if a particular sponge can harm corals.

 

[DSC reef]

I agree that sponges are good if not essential to have in a thriving system. The species of sponge will determine if it is invasive. In my experience the yellow and orange sponges never have been an issue. There is a black stinging sponge I have encountered though that will grow as a white mat under rocks but in the light it will turn black and form tubular columns. The black stinging sponge not only can be painful to handle but I have also seen it go to war with corals and win. There are so many species of sponges though that I find observation to be the best tool in determining if a particular sponge can harm corals.

Thank you for the information.

 

[Fishfinder]

Sorry for the bad pics. That white stuff is fluffy looking

 

[Davy Jones]

Looks like the same stuff I had, was easy to get rid of once i realized what was happening

 

[Fishfinder]

Sponge though?

 

[KJ]

Sponge though?

Yes it is a Sponge.