Ugly Sponge Problem

[richserpe]

Hello all

I have an ugly grey, veiny sponge growing on my rock and starting to smother my Acans and Zoas. I was looking for a CUC member to eat it but the only suggestion I got was a pencil urchin. That’s not an option as he would bulldoze all the corals and rearrange my scape. I have enough trouble with that with the 3 tuxedo urchins I already have. Does anyone know of a critter that eats this stuff or do I stay with the toothbrush and elbow grease. HELP!!!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello all

I have an ugly grey, veiny sponge growing on my rock and starting to smother my Acans and Zoas. I was looking for a CUC member to eat it but the only suggestion I got was a pencil urchin. That’s not an option as he would bulldoze all the corals and rearrange my scape. I have enough trouble with that with the 3 tuxedo urchins I already have. Does anyone know of a critter that eats this stuff or do I stay with the toothbrush and elbow grease. HELP!!!

These sponge/tunicates are invasive. I use a syringe and inject with vinegar and thy shrink then dissolve

 

[SantaMonica]

Also might try the air approach, since many sponges can't deal with any air, by lifting the rock up or by doing a 100% water change.

 

[mcarroll]

Seems like an awfully nice "problem" to have. Very reefy.

Before you do anything more drastic, I would suggest figuring out what you are doing to encourage it and stop that and see what happens first from that change.

My guess would be broadcast, feeding or dusting liquid nutrients.... but you would know better than I.