Does anything eat sponges?

[kchristensen8064]

I have this white sponge growing on one of my rocks and it's spreading. Is there anything that will eat these sponges so that I can keep it under control?

 

[Ron Popeil]

an angelfish would probably love that. are you dosing phytoplankton or similar type of foods?

 

[kchristensen8064]

No, I just feed Rod's original. I've read about the angels eating them but am weary of them because they nip corals on occasion. I am not too terribly concerned about the sponges but I was hoping that there might be an invert of some sort that might like munching on them just to keep it from spreading to much.

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

What size tank do you have?

 

[ritter6788]

Rod's Food is loaded with stuff that feeds sponges. I use it but sparingly. If I feed it everyday I get all sorts of strange stuff growing.

 

[kchristensen8064]

It's a 65 gal. 20 gal. sump/refugium and a 10 gal. frag tank.

 

[kchristensen8064]

Rod's Food is loaded with stuff that feeds sponges. I use it but sparingly. If I feed it everyday I get all sorts of strange stuff growing.

I just started feeding Rod's, I was feeding formula one with daphnia before.

 

[Paul87]

Starfish

Sent Via the R2R Forum APP

 

[Aqua fire/medic]

Starfish

Sent Via the R2R Forum APP

I thought linkia's eat sponges..... Forgot what color though.

 

[User Name]

I'll offer some options. You could kill it by covering the sponge in some reefing glue. Remove the live rock with the sponge and place it in the sump, thereby still having the benefits of the sponge without it spreading in the display tank. Take out the live rock with sponge and perhaps do an exchange with your lfs. You could also perhaps approach the same way as killing aiptasia, by using kalk, vinegar, or something else on it daily until it dies.

 

[kchristensen8064]

Well taking the rock out isn't a option. If it gets too much bigger I may try the vinegar. Do you think blasting it with boiling ro/di through a syringe might work? I don't mind the biggest part of the sponges just because they're under the rock it's just the parts that are growing up toward the top of the rock.

 

[User Name]

Sorry, I have no personal experience with boiling ro/di. Hopefully someone will chime in with the use of that method on aiptasia. Might be a good idea to research. I have used white vinegar with syringe, and had good results.

 

[Kabaliwi03]

Were you ever able to get rid of the sponge? I have the same problem. But I also have another type growing too. Would like to know how you were able to remove it.

 

[JMSKI333]

To answer your subject question, Moorish Idol's eat sponges. After reading further down your post, it looks like your tank is too small for that species but I figured I'd post it anyways for future readers.

 

[FlyPenFly]

Deep water angels prefer sponges.

 

[rworegon]

Swallowtail angels are about the only reef safe Angel. Would probably knock out your sponges.

 

[robbrouse]

Swallowtail angels is too big for a 65 gallon tank... IMO

 

[Velodog2]

Since when are sponges bad in a tank? Natural filtration. Some grow them intentionally in cryptic zones. Just let it be.

 

[Eienna]

Some sponges can be invasive or (I think) release toxins, but personally I'd leave it alone unless it's actually causing issues.

 

[Esage]

I thought linkia's eat sponges..... Forgot what color though.

My Blue Linkia eats sponges