Unknown Growth

[UM Aquarium Club]

For background I am a member of the UM Aquarium Club and work in a research lab in my free time. Recently there has been unidentified growth on some of our lab's coral field samples. The growth appeared offshore in the Miami area on sites used to growth out these coral fragments. The surface of the growth can be described as slightly rough with what appear to be small pores across the surface. The growth is "fleshy" and can be peeled off in large pieces from pvc and ceramic surfaces. The coloration of it is a dull off-white with black lines running through. If anyone has a recommendation for another place to post for an ID or more details which might help identify this growth please leave a comment or send a message to this account.

Surface from above

Surface from side

Growth on pvc mesh and ceramic plugs

Bottom of growth

 

[cristata.reef]

Possibly a tunicate or some sort of encrusting bryozoan

 

[ThunderGoose]

Try reposting in the hitchhiker ID forum, see if you can get opinions from someone there.

 

[Kamden Uelton]

Encrusting Tunicate, and a nice looking one at that!