Sponge on clam shell?

[MNFish]

Have had for 6 months now has been growing and looks happy. Recently saw this on shell and am not sure if I should remove and if so how or leave as is.

Thank you.

 

[MNFish]

Picture is at night with flashlight really hard to see during day.... incase anyone was wandering

 

[JPM San Diego]

It appear you actually have two sponges. One is the much larger area of material with the porous surface with the larger out flow openings. Buried in the middle of that is a diminutive "pineapple" sponge. It is brighter white with what looks like little furry spikes. I have had zero luck getting rid of sponges so I learned love'm and live with'm.
I will follow along in case some one else has a sure fire way of removing sponges.

 

[Isopod80]

I would definitely remove that sponge. It appears to be growing on both sides of its shell. It will suffocate it before long. Gently scrub it off with a toothbrush while holding a syphon above to suck up the waste. Sponges grow quickly and shouldn't be allowed to encroach on other creatures.

 

[MNFish]

I would definitely remove that sponge. It appears to be growing on both sides of its shell. It will suffocate it before long. Gently scrub it off with a toothbrush while holding a syphon above to suck up the waste. Sponges grow quickly and shouldn't be allowed to encroach on other creatures.

I can actually take out the clam and it's base pretty easy so I will remove it, just usually don't remove stuff unless it is harming something else.

 

[Isopod80]

I can actually take out the clam and it's base pretty easy so I will remove it, just usually don't remove stuff unless it is harming something else.

I agree. I generally leave sponges. In this case it is necessary to remove it.