Zoanthids. Black squishy/spongy stuff around heads

[jaylendoesntknow]

Does anyone know if this stuff is bad for the Zoa and if I should remove it? It is spongy, when pushed the zoa closes back up into it. The zoa has always had it since it was a baby frag.

 

[SlugSnorter]

I think that may just be the flesh/tentacles of the zoa

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Does anyone know if this stuff is bad for the Zoa and if I should remove it? It is spongy, when pushed the zoa closes back up into it. The zoa has always had it since it was a baby frag.

I think that's a sponge - if you look closely you can see a few of the oscula (exhalant/outcurrent siphons) of the sponge sticking up.

OP, unless the sponge starts active smothering the zoas, it's a harmless filter feeder. A lot of sponges will grow right up to and around a coral like that without causing any problems, so as long as the zoas keep opening and the sponge doesn't grow over their heads, they'll be fine.

Personally, I think it's a neat hitchhiker to have.

 

[Bucs20fan]

I also think its a really cool sponge. Id keep it personally as sponges naturally grow on bases of corals and polyps will be just fine. if it really is bothering you. Take the zoas out of the tank for 2 minutes, just exposed to air, no dip no anything else. This will kill the sponge.

 

[Seansea]

Did you ever figure out what this is? Did it keep.spreading or go away? Did you treat it with something? I have this all over a couole of my zoa colonies and what you ever figured out