Sponge ID plz

Reefer1978 · Nov 6, 2016

Have this sponge all over my tank. Looking for some info on it, if it's good, bad, etc. thanks r2r

fragit · Nov 6, 2016

Are you sure it's a sponge Vlad? Looks almost like a macro algae.

Reefer1978 · Nov 6, 2016

fragit said:
Are you sure it's a sponge Vlad? Looks almost like a macro algae.

I am not sure, deff looks like some kind of filtration animal.

Rybren · Nov 6, 2016

I have a ton of that stuff in my tank and sump. It's not an algae and I'm fairly certain that it's in the sponge family.

I've had it for years and doesn't seem to harm anything. I group it in with the beneficial filter feeders.

Reefer1978 · Nov 6, 2016

Rybren said:
I have a ton of that stuff in my tank and sump. It's not an algae and I'm fairly certain that it's in the sponge family.

I've had it for years and doesn't seem to harm anything. I group it in with the beneficial filter feeders.

Thanks Rybren.

Anyone else, any ideas?

Rybren · Nov 7, 2016

@Lionfish Lair? Your thoughts on an ID

Lionfish Lair · Nov 7, 2016

Reminds me of the sponge we used to call a "creeping sponge" or a "rope sponge". It's actual name is Aplysina cauliformis.

Lionfish Lair · Nov 7, 2016

Here's an example...

rope-sponge-that-looks-like-a-creeping-hand-aplysina-cauliformis-superior-F4D273.jpg

http://c8.alamy.com/comp/F4D273/rop...hand-aplysina-cauliformis-superior-F4D273.jpg

Rybren · Nov 7, 2016

Lionfish Lair said:
Reminds me of the sponge we used to call a "creeping sponge" or a "rope sponge". It's actual name is Aplysina cauliformis.

That's it. Thanks for the help.

Reefer1978 · Nov 7, 2016

That's not it for me. Growth pattern is opposite of the description, mine grows vertically up towards the light. Also page description says nothing of white color, mine are mostly white except for areas hitting the light which are red.

Lionfish Lair · Nov 7, 2016

It does grow up towards the light... that's a top down picture. I've seen some that was white with the color more sporadic like yours when it was first startign to grow. I don't have any picture references of that.

Other than that, that's about the only suggestion I have.

Reefer1978 · Nov 7, 2016

Lionfish Lair said:
It does grow up towards the light... that's a top down picture. I've seen some that was white with the color more sporadic like yours when it was first startign to grow. I don't have any picture references of that.

Other than that, that's about the only suggestion I have.

Thanks @Lionfish Lair , appreciate all your help!!! Should I remove any of them or just leave them alone?

Lionfish Lair · Nov 7, 2016

I would let it grow out of interest. Maybe we'll find it's something totally different. If at any time you want to remove it, it'll be pretty easy to peel off.