Black sponges?

[Sharkbait HooHaHa]

I noticed these black sponges (I think) growing in the dark crevices of my rocks the other day. There are apparently differing opinions on what to do about them. From what I’ve read I should either be worried and get rid of them at all costs, not be worried and let them be, or take the middle ground and only deal with them when they start to threaten my corals. Any thoughts as to which is the correct path?

I recently started feeding reef roids about once a week, and I supplement with “aquavitro reef” and Kent marine phytoplex.

 

[ZoWhat]

SHADOW PPL:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_person




.

 

[Sharkbait HooHaHa]

SHADOW PPL:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_person




.

This does not bode well...

 

[johnalicia]

I think I was once told black sponges are bad and white are good. Don't know for sure though

 

[Sharkbait HooHaHa]

Apparently black sponges are not a hot topic

 

[Gareth elliott]

There are some Haliclona sp that are black, i do not think they are any more dangerous than any other sponge. Even highly toxic sponges i have never seen anything else die if the sponge goes down hill. Had an 8 inch red tree sponge fall into my sand bed while i was away, it died nothing else did.

 

[ahiggins]

Are you sure they aren’t black stomatella snails? They’re the right shape and I thought I saw some feelers lol but I’ve never seen black blobs

 

[mort]

If your worried you have the black chicken liver sponge then you don't. They are the plague species to be worried about and they grow in flat plates and are more photosynthetic. Your sponges that hide in the shadows are just a species that grows in those conditions and shouldn't grow much if they are anything like the ones I have.

 

[ahiggins]

Who names these things?!

 

[Leadfooted]

I have shadow people too :/

 

[Sharkbait HooHaHa]

Are you sure they aren’t black stomatella snails? They’re the right shape and I thought I saw some feelers lol but I’ve never seen black blobs

I thought they were stomatellas at first, but they don't move at all.

 

[Sharkbait HooHaHa]

If your worried you have the black chicken liver sponge then you don't. They are the plague species to be worried about and they grow in flat plates and are more photosynthetic. Your sponges that hide in the shadows are just a species that grows in those conditions and shouldn't grow much if they are anything like the ones I have.

That's good news. My plan at this point is to just keep an eye on them. If they become a nuisance, I'll consider what to do. The bigger concern for me right now is vermetid snails.