Purple sponge

[Rob's Reef]

Hello Reefers!

What would be the best way to get rid of this purple sponge taking over my rocks??? Is there an Angelfish or something I can get to control this crap?

Thanks
Threw a couple fish pics in too for fun.

 

[WheatToast]

Looks like a type of photosynthetic plating sponge (Collospongia sp.), and a gorgeous one at that. Usually people recommend injecting sponges with air, boiling water, or hydrogen peroxide to eliminate them. However, these sponges are pretty popular in the trade, so perhaps you could try to see if anyone wants them locally/sell them here on Reef2Reef. Gulf Coast Ecosystems (picture on the site looks different from what you have, but looks pretty similar in-life) says these sponges can handle very brief air exposure.

 

[spsick]

Following because this sponge was cool 5 years ago but dang it’s taking over my tank like Xenia did in 2008

 

[Rmckoy]

Looks similar to the purple mushroom plague I had when I first started years ago .

I have tons of yellow sponge but never had this particular colour .

 

[Rob's Reef]

It's definitely the plating kind in that link... it was cool, but it's taking over and I want it gone... any predators?

 

[EricR]

I think it looks great!
I take it you don't feel like just pruning it back a bit from your corals?

 

[Rmckoy]

I wonder how a sponge vs a lps such as hammer of torch would end .

I believe is there are no natural predators coral warfare would take care of it .

 

[Rob's Reef]

I think it looks great!
I take it you don't feel like just pruning it back a bit from your corals?

It's a lot of pruning. Wherever you pull it off it leaves a lite behind and then boom you've got more spawns!

 

[WheatToast]

I believe is there are no natural predators coral warfare would take care of it .

Here is a list I compiled and have posted on some other threads:

A few predator examples:
- Marine angelfish
- Moorish idols
- Some starfish
- Some nudibranchs
- Sea turtles

I'm not sure how well any of them would work with this species though. Some might also try to eat corals.

 

[Rob's Reef]

As far as Angel's? Like the dwarf? Flame, ebi or beauty? My tank is 8'lx30"dx24h so it's a decent size if a larger angel would be better

 

[blackhole88]

I had tons of that sponge and while it looked very cool it got to be to much. I purchased a regal angel Red Sea and she devours it all day Took a while but the regal has it under control and best part is she doesn’t eat any other corals just the sponge. Moorish idols would definitely eat it but who knows what else and that’s if you can keep them alive.

 

[Rob's Reef]

I had tons of that sponge and while it looked very cool it got to be to much. I purchased a regal angel Red Sea and she devours it all day Took a while but the regal has it under control and best part is she doesn’t eat any other corals just the sponge. Moorish idols would definitely eat it but who knows what else and that’s if you can keep them alive.

Thanks, I'll give it a shot

 

[kgstei]

I got a ton of that in my tank. It peels off easily. I've got a flame Angel he doesn't go near it.

 

[kgstei]

I had tons of that sponge and while it looked very cool it got to be to much. I purchased a regal angel Red Sea and she devours it all day Took a while but the regal has it under control and best part is she doesn’t eat any other corals just the sponge. Moorish idols would definitely eat it but who knows what else and that’s if you can keep them alive.

I had tons of that sponge and while it looked very cool it got to be to much. I purchased a regal angel Red Sea and she devours it all day Took a while but the regal has it under control and best part is she doesn’t eat any other corals just the sponge. Moorish idols would definitely eat it but who knows what else and that’s if you can keep them alive.

Looking for more info on your tank. I've got a 120 with a ton of the purple sponge and I like it. Also would be interested in adding a Regal Tang at some point particularly when I go to a larger tank. I'm curious how big your tank is, how much sponge you have in your tank and has the Regal eliminated the sponge or just trim it up. Thanks pics would be cool too