Sponge growing on acan

[Klyle]

There's a green sponge growing on my acan. The acan usually looks better than this but it deflates itself (much more than my other acan) before lights out...I assume this is normal. Anyway, I suppose it would benefit the coral to not have a sponge growing between the heads. How should I go about removing the sponge? Manual removal or use a coral dip?

 

[GillMeister]

That's another one that looks like a tunicate. They're everywhere. It should be harmless. I'd leave it alone.

 

[WheatToast]

That's another one that looks like a tunicate. They're everywhere. It should be harmless. I'd leave it alone.

 

[WheatToast]

@vetteguy53081 would know better than me on what to do.

 

[Klyle]

I generally like to leave sponges alone. Not sure about when it's attached to a coral though!

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Pick it and flick it! :/

 

[Klyle]

Pick it and flick it! :/

Like a booger

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Like a booger

Id say pull anything thats not coral and skeleton, but that would go for sure it already looks like that acan has changed its growth pattern around it. If the acan liked it it would grow over top of it.

 

[Klyle]

Id say pull anything thats not coral and skeleton, but that would go for sure it already looks like that acan has changed its growth pattern around it. If the acan liked it it would grow over top of it.

Yep it has new heads all the way around except for that spot. Good point

 

[GillMeister]

Again, it looks like a tunicate. Not a sponge. If it were a sponge growing on a coral i would remove it. Tunicates are not usually going to grow out of control like a sponge can and to the best of my knowledge they do not release toxins. I've had them in one of my older systems and they lived peacefully with my corals and added some nice color to the tank to boot. Mine were orange.

 

[Klyle]

Again, it looks like a tunicate. Not a sponge. If it were a sponge growing on a coral i would remove it. Tunicates are not usually going to grow out of control like a sponge can and to the best of my knowledge they do not release toxins. I've had them in one of my older systems and they lived peacefully with my corals and added some nice color to the tank to boot. Mine were orange.

Tunicate. Got it. I'll take that into consideration as I haven't done anything yet. It is pretty.

 

[WheatToast]

Again, it looks like a tunicate. Not a sponge. If it were a sponge growing on a coral i would remove it. Tunicates are not usually going to grow out of control like a sponge can and to the best of my knowledge they do not release toxins. I've had them in one of my older systems and they lived peacefully with my corals and added some nice color to the tank to boot. Mine were orange.

Tunicate. Got it. I'll take that into consideration as I haven't done anything yet. It is pretty.

Still really doubting the tunicate identification (though I cannot blame you, sponges and tunicates can be quite hard to tell apart sometimes); the bright yellow coloration generally seems to be more characteristic of sponges and OP's "creature" seems to have pores on its sides. To be sure, though, you could try and gently touch the "creature" (a sponge would not react and I am pretty sure that a tunicate would attempt to retract).

Some near-identical yellow sponges:

 

[vetteguy53081]

There's a green sponge growing on my acan. The acan usually looks better than this but it deflates itself (much more than my other acan) before lights out...I assume this is normal. Anyway, I suppose it would benefit the coral to not have a sponge growing between the heads. How should I go about removing the sponge? Manual removal or use a coral dip?

This is a tunicate. You will have to make the call on this one. It’s far enough from the acan But it is likely stealing food from the acan
Or you can keep an eye on it for growth
To stop it, using a syringe, inject vinegar into the tunicate and it will be done

 

[damsels are not mean]

Doesn't look harmful but if you want to remove it it should be as simple as pulling with tweezers. Alternatively you can take the coral out of water for a few minutes and if it's a sponge it will disintegrate once air is trapped in it.

 

[Klyle]

This is a tunicate. You will have to make the call on this one. It’s far enough from the acan But it is likely stealing food from the acan
Or you can keep an eye on it for growth
To stop it, using a syringe, inject vinegar into the tunicate and it will be done

Good to know! I'll try to let the little guy live until he starts causing problems

 

[Klyle]

Doesn't look harmful but if you want to remove it it should be as simple as pulling with tweezers. Alternatively you can take the coral out of water for a few minutes and if it's a sponge it will disintegrate once air is trapped in it.

Thank you. Unfortunately I'll have to disagree with your username! Haha

 

[vetteguy53081]

Good to know! I'll try to let the little guy live until he starts causing problems

Do not pull with tweezers as it can release toxins and air will not have effect on it. Air for sponge yes, this is a sea squirt in essence. They have water filled sacs with a siphon

 

[Klyle]

Do not pull with tweezers as it can release toxins and air will not have effect on it. Air for sponge yes, this is a sea squirt in essence. They have water filled sacs with a siphon

Ok thanks. If he makes me mad ill shoot him up with vinegar!