sponge? coral? good or bad?

[s_tooz_123]

I had a small (slightly larger than a golfball) goniopora die off, and within 1-2 months, the goni skeleton became completely covered with a purple flesh-like coating, with little bumps. Each bump has a small hole in it, and if i were to touch it, all the flesh would contract slightly and the holes would close.

I moved the animal in question away from other corals and the permanent rock structure until I can figure out what it is and if it is good or bad.

Any help would be appreciated.

Steve
(PS: sorry for the fuzzy pictures. It is very hard to get a decent close in picture)

 

[JaimeAdams]

Looks like Tunicates

 

[blaxsun]

Are the similar to this? I can't discern much from the images.

 

[JaimeAdams]

There are a lot of species of colonial tunicates. Here is an old thread from a sister forum that shows the same form that you have. I have also had the same tunicates on frags at the store.

Tunicate or something else?

I saw a picture at another forum (attached) and it looks like the exact same thing my candy cane came with, only on a smaller scale. I had assumed it was a harmless tunicate but the guy claims it overran his candy cane fairly quickly. If it expands that fast then I'll have to take drastic measure...

www.nano-reef.com

 

[s_tooz_123]

Are the similar to this? I can't discern much from the images.

Sorry for the bad pictures....they are definitely not the same as your picture, but thanks.

 

[Frisk]

Likely Botryllus sp. Harmless filter feeding tunicates.

 

[s_tooz_123]

There are a lot of species of colonial tunicates. Here is an old thread from a sister forum that shows the same form that you have. I have also had the same tunicates on frags at the store.

Tunicate or something else?

I saw a picture at another forum (attached) and it looks like the exact same thing my candy cane came with, only on a smaller scale. I had assumed it was a harmless tunicate but the guy claims it overran his candy cane fairly quickly. If it expands that fast then I'll have to take drastic measure...

www.nano-reef.com

Thank you! The pictures in the article look almost identical to what I have in my tank. It sounds like some people like them, others don't care to have them around.

Personally, I like the way it looks but I don't want it taking over other corals, so I'll keep it isolated from other specimens for now.

Thanks again.