red tree sponge

[salty joe]

Red Tree Sponge - Amphimedon compressa

These are super hardy and can be placed anywhere within a reef. Tree sponges are best collected within areas of current and seem to be a bit more hardy when collected in from those conditions. We select Tree Sponges with a minimum of three branches. About 5 to 7 inches in height.

reeftopia.com

I got one of these red tree sponges 17 months ago and all I can say about it is, it isn't dead. At best, it seems able to fend off algae at least mostly. It's in a high flow area and I dose live phyto as well as add Spirulina to my food. Has anyone gotten this sponge to grow?

 

[Copingwithpods]

Following along as I've been wanting one for a few months now.

 

[liverock]

You have done really well with it....I have collected many thousands over the years, and of the red tree and orange tree, I would say orange trees WAY outlive red trees.....hands down. When a red tree starts to go...it will get algae on the tips, and then pigmentation and flesh will start to erode from the tips. At that point best to just cut below the area with scissors, clean cut.

Richard TBS

 

[liverock]

And there are different types, the one shown in the pic is from the Keys, the ones we get here in the Gulf are much 'smoother' texture, and more uniform.

 

[salty joe]

So, this one must be hard to keep...Years ago, I had a red sponge that was upright but had a more closed structure. It did grow, albeit slowly.

 

[Devaji]

I have had a cpl over the years that dont grow that well but did not die either. until a tank move.

keep what you are going.

 

[Mr Fishface]

Very interesting, I've been eyeballing one for a couple days now.