What is this?

[godzilla3063]

what is this?
This has been growing slowly for 5 years, but the last 6 months it has tripled in size and spread 2 feet away on another rock.
A few questions:
- What is it?
- Can I trim it without destroying my tank?
- Am I in trouble for letting it go that long?

it has a nice shimmer to it and is a nice purple color so it is pretty to look at.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Crabs McJones]

what is this?
This has been growing slowly for 5 years, but the last 6 months it has tripled in size and spread 2 feet away on another rock.
A few questions:
- What is it?
- Can I trim it without destroying my tank?
- Am I in trouble for letting it go that long?

it has a nice shimmer to it and is a nice purple color so it is pretty to look at.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

It looks like some sort of purple plating montipora. You can use a cutter or break off pieces with your hand and frag it and sell it

 

[dbraun15]

How does it feel? Agree above about Montipora if it bony/calcified. It could also be a plating sponge if soft/rubbery. Both can be easily broken/torn off in pieces and sold/traded.

 

[godzilla3063]

I haven't felt it, but I guess I should. I wasn't sure if I try to cut it or move it if it would pollute my tank. If it is a montipora, I guess I am sitting on a ton of frags that I can move. It loves light as the ones that have grown under the larger ones are darker and not as nice.

 

[DSC reef]

I'd touch it to see if it's rubbery. Resembles plating sponge or montipora. Possibly plating coralline algae.

 

[godzilla3063]

it is soft and pliable. Kind of feels like a mushroom. I was able to cut some large sections out to give my frogspawn some more room and it loves it.
I cut a small piece off and see if it will take.
attached are some more pictures after I moved it.

 

[dbraun15]

If it's rubbery/pliable...most likely photosynthetic sponge. Looks great!

 

[Katrina71]

Any special care you give this little guy? I just got one given to me.