Strange Growth Under Torch Coral Polyp

[Neuratox]

I've seen some images of strange growths on torch corals, but I'm not seeing something that matches my current situation. I noticed this about 2 months ago and thought little of it, but it seems to be growing in size. The coral seems to be happy overall. Anyone have any idea what this is? It almost looks like the polyp itself is growing a skeletal structure. My understanding was that this only occurred the other way around.

 

[fishguy242]

@Cell ??

 

[Anubisxii]

Just throwing a hail marry here but does it have an opening? Like a pineapple sponge? I have one growing in a similar way on one of my torches.

 

[Neuratox]

I will try to look for an opening today, but I haven't noticed one so far. It honestly looks more stone like.

 

[Cell]

No clue. First guess would be sponge, but hard to tell.

 

[Neuratox]

If it is a sponge... would it be safe to pull it off?

 

[ScottR]

Sponge. It’s harmless.

 

[AC1211]

I had that on a bunch of torches too but a salinity mess up and since then many mess ups never let me figure out what it was.