White sponge kind of growth on my rocks

[sumithnarayanan]

Hi All,

I have below kind of growth all over my live rocks, I am not sure whether it is harmful for the ecosystem, it keeps growing all over.

Is there a way to control it? Should i take each rock and clean up ? Any suggestions?
harmful for the fishes and others.

 

[CanuckReefer]

Hi All,

I have below kind of growth all over my live rocks, I am not sure whether it is harmful for the ecosystem, it keeps growing all over.

Is there a way to control it? Should i take each rock and clean up ? Any suggestions?
harmful for the fishes and others.

I have a white sponge that's been very slowly growing on one rock for many years. Hasn't taken over by any means. I will try and shoot a pic of it this eve for comparison. If you saying it's all over your rocks that might be a bit much though.

 

[sp1187]

looks like sponge to me. may not be alive anymore. they don't like air very much.

 

[sumithnarayanan]

looks like sponge to me. may not be alive anymore. they don't like air very much.

I did not understand "they don't like air very much" . Should I add more bubble makers?

 

[sp1187]

I did not understand "they don't like air very much" . Should I add more bubble makers?

no, air exposure kills them. so if it was on the rock before you put it in your system, unless you kept that rock submerged in water while putting it in to your tank, likely it is dead.

 

[sumithnarayanan]

no, air exposure kills them. so if it was on the rock before you put it in your system, unless you kept that rock submerged in water while putting it in to your tank, likely it is dead.

It is growing in my rocks which are submerged.

 

[sumithnarayanan]

Do you mean, if I keep the rock out for a while ,they are dead?

 

[sp1187]

I meant it looked dead because it looks white. my bad, I read over the part where you said it was spreading, so obviously it is not dead. sponges generally die if they are exposed to air as it get's trapped in them. that becomes a dead spot and usually spreads through the sponge killing it. personally I would leave it and let it do it's thing. a live sponge covered area grows no algae.

 

[CanuckReefer]

My white sponge , been in this configuration for well over a decade, 9nly on the one rock...hasn't spread much. Three Stripe wouldn't budge from his 'zone' I am invading....over a decade for that little warrior too ...

 

[Casket_Case]

Do you mean, if I keep the rock out for a while ,they are dead?

I’ve lifted mine out and they’re fine. Those kind for me have lived out of the water for short periods of time. But yes, definitely a sponge.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Its poriferan sponge which can be evasive. Rather than exposing to air, you can inject air into it via syringe or vinegar via syringe also works.