RED VOLCANO SPONGE LOOSING SKIN

[Bubba002]

My RED VOLCANO SPONGE is loosing its skin and I can see skeleton. My very favorite because my daughter bought it for me. Please help......never been in the air thank you in advance

 

[Sosuke]

Parameters? Most likely starving to death or a parameter issue. How long have you had it?

 

[Hermie]

Sponges don't really have skin or a skeleton per se... can you post a picture? My random guess is salinity problem. Sponges are very sensitive to salinity outside of marine parameters.

 

[Bubba002]

 

[Hermie]

sponges actually go through cycles sometimes where they dissolve parts of their structure and rebuild somewhere else; it's possible that your sponge is just adapting to the tank

 

[Bubba002]

I hope and pray you are correct. Someone posted for me to scrape it and put krazy glue on it to seal it off and then glue it to a flat rock.......I am so confused ‍ I am counting on your answer

 

[Hermie]

I hope and pray you are correct. Someone posted for me to scrape it and put krazy glue on it to seal it off and then glue it to a flat rock.......I am so confused ‍ I am counting on your answer

just make sure your salinity is correct in the tank because that can affect sponges very quickly

 

[LegendaryCG]

following --

 

[tehmadreefer]

sponges actually go through cycles sometimes where they dissolve parts of their structure and rebuild somewhere else; it's possible that your sponge is just adapting to the tank

sponges are very difficult and the majority fire off due to not knowing what their exact needs are.

 

[Hermie]

sponges are very difficult and the majority fire off due to not knowing what their exact needs are.

I kept one so long that I removed it because it didnt fit the aquascape and by that time it was severely rooted into the live rock I had to yank it out. I think their care requirements are overrated tbh... but that's just from personal experience.

 

[Sosuke]

Certain species aren't horribly difficult but many are definitely not suitable for aquariums. This looks like a species that can be kept in aquariums. The naked part of that sponge looks like rock that it was attached to. If it's actually disintegrating I would check parameters. Btw don't glue sponges.

 

[Bubba002]

Certain species aren't horribly difficult but many are definitely not suitable for aquariums. This looks like a species that can be kept in aquariums. The naked part of that sponge looks like rock that it was attached to. If it's actually disintegrating I would check parameters. Btw don't glue sponges.

Trust me, I didn’t. Thanks for your reply should I put this on a rock or sand. Light or in a cave? Feeding phyto...something or other every two days, doesn’t look any better but after feeding I did see the holes opening and partially close.

 

[Sosuke]

Can we get an update picture of it? Has the die off stopped? Usually sponges like to be kept partially shaded to prevent algae growth. I would keep it on a rock.

 

[dennis romano]

That light colored area is where the sponge was attached to the rock while in nature. If you see the pores opening and closing, that is good. It is feeding. You are feeding no where near to what it needs. It should be fed at least twice a day. Feed the phyto as close as possible to it. Flow should be moderate, not strong. Sponge do not need light. Light will cause algae to grow on it which will smother it. How old is your tank? They don't do well in a relatively new tank. I have 8 or 9 sponges in my 20 year old NPS tank.

 

[Bubba002]

Can we get an update picture of it? Has the die off stopped? Usually sponges like to be kept partially shaded to prevent algae growth. I would keep it on a rock.

That light colored area is where the sponge was attached to the rock while in nature. If you see the pores opening and closing, that is good. It is feeding. You are feeding no where near to what it needs. It should be fed at least twice a day. Feed the phyto as close as possible to it. Flow should be moderate, not strong. Sponge do not need light. Light will cause algae to grow on it which will smother it. How old is your tank? They don't do well in a relatively new tank. I have 8 or 9 sponges in my 20 year old NPS tank.

 

[Bubba002]

feed them how much and what 2 times a day

 

[dennis romano]

Looks good and healthy. Relatively speaking, this is one of the easier sponges. It still needs a lot of attention. Mine get fed phyto and oyster eggs by Reef Nutrition. I mix the two together in a squeeze bottle and squirt it into the current so that it is brought to the sponge. If you tank is older, stir up the gravel so that the dirt flows to the sponge. They need the microfauna in the gravel. The light spot stays on the rock. If the sponge does well, it will anchor with that area.

 

[Bubba002]

Looks good and healthy. Relatively speaking, this is one of the easier sponges. It still needs a lot of attention. Mine get fed phyto and oyster eggs by Reef Nutrition. I mix the two together in a squeeze bottle and squirt it into the current so that it is brought to the sponge. If you tank is older, stir up the gravel so that the dirt flows to the sponge. They need the microfauna in the gravel. The light spot stays on the rock. If the sponge does well, it will anchor with that area.

How much of both, and how often do you feed?

 

[dennis romano]

I mix about a half teaspoon of each in a squeeze bottle. My sponges get fed that mixture at least twice a day. Stirring the gravel is a third meal. Keep in mind that I feeding a lot of NPS animals. I counted a dozen large sponges last night.

 

[Bubba002]

I mix about a half teaspoon of each in a squeeze bottle. My sponges get fed that mixture at least twice a day. Stirring the gravel is a third meal. Keep in mind that I feeding a lot of NPS animals. I counted a dozen large sponges last night.

You must have perfect water to have 20. What size tank, pictures please