What is this strong orange gunk on my zoanthid?

DannoOMG

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It just showed up over the past month. I tried to blow it off with a turkey baster or lightly scrub it off with a tooth brush. It ain't having it.

Is this going to kill my zoa's?

It's not acting like Cyanobacteria....

20210919_190920.jpg
 

Tamberav

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Looks like a sponge or tunicate. May be irritating the zoas if they not opening up but I would consider that a beneficial hitchhiker.
 
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DannoOMG

DannoOMG

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But if it is irritating the zoa's won't that lead to their eventual demise? Eh?
 
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DannoOMG

DannoOMG

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After spending a few minutes researching what these things are, it is highly unlikely it is one of the desirable tunicates? If it was one of those it sounds like it would probably **** the bed in my tank anyways cause they are super difficult to care for apparently.

But ya it looks like I'll have to take the frag out. There is more of it on a rock below another frag... Oiy nai! This hobby isn't giving me a break!
 

Goaway

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Sadly, I have a sponge growing on a goniopora frag. While people will say it is beneficial. If the sponge is growing by the coral, I find it becomes war for space and territory.

There are no breaks in this hobby. Once in a while though!
 

vetteguy53081

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Tunicate and sponge as mentioned and you need to expose sponge to air to stop its growth
Another option for sponge is to inject it with vinegar via syringe
 

Tamberav

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But if it is irritating the zoa's won't that lead to their eventual demise? Eh?

Perhaps. I have yellow sponge growing on some zoas and the zoas grow fast enough to live and maybe lost a few polyps along the way.

I would still consider it beneficial in my tank. While it may not benefit that particular zoa it came in on… it is a benifit to the tank as a whole and it’s diversity.
 
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DannoOMG

DannoOMG

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Well I doubt it is going to be one of these fancy white and orange sponges seen in this video. (This was the first thing I saw when looking up sponges and tunicates)



If I got some of those sweet looking sponges... sorry Zoanthids. Survival of the fittest!
 
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