Coraline?

[NewbieSeth]

I have these random dark purple spots popping up all over my rocks. Hard to the touch (doesn't scrape off easy) but with almost a velvety feel on the outside. Is this random spots of coraline? No large patches, spread out through the tank about 1/2 in by 1/2 in. Pic included

 

[Kershaw]

Defiantly could be. I have light purple, pink maroon and black in my tank.

 

[NewbieSeth]

Is this how it starts? Random little spots all over?

 

[Kershaw]

Yes. It had to come from some where. If your cal alk and mag are good and it is entered into system like on a frag plug. It will spread. Mine got so bad I got a urchin to keep it managed

 

[NewbieSeth]

Update: I've started to notice almost like hairs coming out of each patch. It's not fuzzy per se, but you can see individual tiny hairs covering most of the surface of them. Not sure I can get a pic of it but I'll try. Maybe not coralline?

 

[Oceansize]

Your text is a perfect description of coralline algae, however your picture looks more like a sponge to me.

 

[NewbieSeth]

So coralline has like little hairs coming out of it? And there are about 18 different patches I can. All of varying sizes but most are round and all the same purple color. Any way to be sure?

 

[Untamedrose]

Do they all have holes like that one? Or is that a hole that was in the rock before? Cause I'm thinkin sponge


Stolen photo credit to whoevers took it.
Here is coraline..Yes it can come darker but..

 

[BoneXriffic]

Do they all have holes like that one? Or is that a hole that was in the rock before? Cause I'm thinkin sponge


Stolen photo credit to whoevers took it.
Here is coraline..Yes it can come darker but..

Lol 17 yr old photo? Thats pretty cool actually.

And yes you descibed coraline

 

[Untamedrose]

Lol 17 yr old photo? Thats pretty cool actually.

And yes you descibed coraline

lol Many things have changed in 17 years...but not coraline

 

[NewbieSeth]

Some have holes in them somewhere or little indentations. Think it's more the rock it's covering tho. There isn't any on the glass tho. Thought coralline started there

 

[Oceansize]

So coralline has like little hairs coming out of it? And there are about 18 different patches I can. All of varying sizes but most are round and all the same purple color. Any way to be sure?

I've never observed any hairs coming out of my patches of coralline. Your pic really looks like a sponge. See the diff between your pic and UntamedRose's...

 

[NewbieSeth]

Should I be concerned there are so many? They seem to be taking over! Lol not going to cause any problems are they? And I don't get how they are growing. I don't dose any phytoplankton so I wouldn't think there is much for them to eat

 

[Oceansize]

I don't have any personal experience with sponges, but I get the impression the problem with them is similar to algae in that the better they do, the worse your coral does. I'm sure there will be several threads about them if you do a forum search.

 

[NewbieSeth]

Update: they are def sponges. I also have tons of little white tunicates showing up everywhere. I can see the in and out holes on them. Noticed at least 7 new ones in the last few weeks