Sponge,soft coral, or coraline algae?

[drewsreef]

Hi guys. I purchased a christmas tree worm rock today and i cant tell what is on the rock. It looks like coraline algae but if feels squishy if you touch it. Almost like a sponge but i cant tell. If it is a sponge it probably wont make it since i exposed ot to air =/

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Probably a sponge or tunicate colony. Not all are as sensitive to being exposed to the air as some would suggest.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Where did you find the xmas tree worms?

 

[Mr_Knightley]

Definitely a sponge. Tunicates or corals would have organized openings, coralline would be stiff.
As mentioned by another user, not all sponges are as susceptible to air damage. In my experience, the ones with a metallic/irridescent sheen to them tend to be a lot hardier against air exposure.

 

[drewsreef]

Where did you find the xmas tree worms?

Probably a sponge or tunicate colony. Not all are as sensitive to bring exposed to the air as some would suggest.

Where did you find the xmas tree worms?

Corals.com

 

[drewsreef]

Definitely a sponge. Tunicates or corals would have organized openings, coralline would be stiff.
As mentioned by another user, not all sponges are as susceptible to air damage. In my experience, the ones with a metallic/irridescent sheen to them tend to be a lot hardier against air exposure.

Thanks for the info!