Sponge identify

[iamahab]

I found this in my filter chamber and there are a few in hard to reach places on my rocks. Is it harmful and if so what steps should I take to rid my tank of them?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Wow, huge. It’s a large cryptic poriferan sponge that as you see can get large and evasive
Remove and discard
They favor low light/low flow areas

 

[iamahab]

Wow, huge. It’s a large cryptic poriferan sponge that as you see can get large and evasive
Remove and discard
They favor low light/low flow areas

I'm going to blast the rear chamber with a refugium light and that should take care of those ones but the ones underneath some of the rock work are going to be a issue. Do you have any suggestions or warnings?

 

[vetteguy53081]

I'm going to blast the rear chamber with a refugium light and that should take care of those ones but the ones underneath some of the rock work are going to be a issue. Do you have any suggestions or warnings?

Light wont do anything. Manual removal otherwise with a syringe, inject vinegar into it and sponge will wither. Exposure to air will also kill it

 

[Timfish]

For what it's worth you will never be able to stop sponges from growing in your system and cryptic sponges are essential recyclers, I'd leave it. The sponges to avoid are the photosynthetic species that like lots of light.