Blue sponge brag!

ThunderGoose · Nov 28, 2018

I have a bright blue sponge. It hasn't grown much but it looks healthy. Today I spotted a small, bright blue mass with what looks like a typical sponge opening. There are a few more blue spots that might turn out to be sponge babies, too but they're harder to photograph.

Anyone have sponges reproducing in their tank? I know these can be cultured in captivity. I did not think it would be spontaneous; I figured it was like fragging coral - you had to cut them up.

Here's the parent sponge. [The color in the baby sponge picture is more accurate.]

JasonK84 · Nov 28, 2018

Sponges are awesome!! Love the color on those.

reef lover · Nov 28, 2018

Ohhh myyy i love it!! Sorry i dont have any cool ones reproducing.

Jonathan4848 · Nov 28, 2018

I also have a blue sponge. I stuck it in a hole of a rock and since I got it (about 1/4 inch like 8 months ago) it has grown a lot. If has filled the entire hole and growing into the water column (very little). I have also noticed blue sponge in different parts of the tank that I haven’t put there. My guess is pieces have detached and floated around

Jonathan4848 · Nov 28, 2018

Jonathan4848 said:
I also have a blue sponge. I stuck it in a hole of a rock and since I got it (about 1/4 inch like 8 months ago) it has grown a lot. If has filled the entire hole and growing into the water column (very little). I have also noticed blue sponge in different parts of the tank that I haven’t put there. My guess is pieces have detached and floated around

norfolkgarden · Nov 29, 2018

Looks great!

Congrats!

I love these. Have one but it is more encrusted than tall. Enjoying watching them grow.

Also the blue plating photosynthetic sponge. Another cool one. [emoji846]

Jonathan4848 · Nov 29, 2018

Here is the small piece I put in that has grown a lot.

Katrina71 · Nov 29, 2018

I want one. Those are beautiful.

norfolkgarden · Nov 29, 2018

The 'regular' sponge was a lucky find at an LFS.

The blue plating photosynthetic sponge you can get just about anywhere online.
Lol, it is bulletproof. Current nitrates 100. After a regular water change.
Think I have been feeding a little too much lately.

cristata.reef · Nov 29, 2018

Sponges are really easy to frag. Simply put it in a container (be sure not to remove it from the water) and go to town with a razor blade. I've done some lab work with Haliclona species (including some just like yours) and we'll even through them in a blender to save time. Give them some substrate to attach to and you'll be fine.

PS - Don't glue them, it'll kill off the sponge. Instead break the prongs off a plastic fork and impale it. Then put the prongs in to your rock

lilbitreefer · Dec 3, 2018

Sponges are so cool. Some of them grow soo slow though. I have been lucky and have a rainbow of colors. White, yellow/green, bright pink, dark purple, grey.

I started dosing zeovit sponge power since saw them all and the pink ones have started going crazy!