What is this?

[Reef_Obsessed]

Hey all! Does anyone know what this is on my acropora? It’s a small nodule, bluish/white in color. It was very easy to remove and crumbled easily with a little pressure. Since removing, I see other small ones that have formed. I don’t see any openings. Sometimes I see white strings coming off the coral. This is not a newly purchased piece and after

I purchased, I dipped.

 

[Casket_Case]

Ba-ba-bump

 

[Graffiti Spot]

Ba-ba-bump

Correct, it’s a bump.

No seriously though, was it part of the coral? Did it leave behind opened dead skeleton underneath? Was it hard? If so it could be some kind of hyperplasia. I wouldn’t worry about it unless you see it coming back and growing or spreading to other acros.

 

[One Reefing Boi]

could also be some sort of sponge that hitchhiked? not sure though

 

[Casket_Case]

Correct, it’s a bump.

No seriously though, was it part of the coral? Did it leave behind opened dead skeleton underneath? Was it hard? If so it could be some kind of hyperplasia. I wouldn’t worry about it unless you see it coming back and growing or spreading to other acros.

I meant as in to bump the conversation because I don’t know lol

 

[Billdogg]

looks like a sponge to me.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

I meant as in to bump the conversation because I don’t know lol

Yea I know I was just kidding around

 

[Graffiti Spot]

Did it grow from a small spot or suddenly appear?

 

[Reef_Obsessed]

Correct, it’s a bump.

No seriously though, was it part of the coral? Did it leave behind opened dead skeleton underneath? Was it hard? If so it could be some kind of hyperplasia. I wouldn’t worry about it unless you see it coming back and growing or spreading to other acros.

It came off easily and cleanly and didn’t leave any dead Skeleton underneath. It was hard, but crumbled easily when I squeezed it. Problem is, I do see more now...smaller size and it may be effecting the coral negatively. I don’t see the great polyp extension I saw before.

 

[Reef_Obsessed]

Did it grow from a small spot or suddenly appear?

It grew over time

 

[Rick5]

2020 hasn’t been weird enough so your acropora decided to give birth to blue sponge. Congratulations.

 

[Reef_Obsessed]

2020 hasn’t been weird enough so your acropora decided to give birth to blue sponge. Congratulations.

Is blue sponge your thought or were you joking?

 

[Graffiti Spot]

It grew over time

If underneath of it is still healthy coral when you removed the big one I would expect it to be a growth of some sort like hyperplasia. There are different kinds, some are very odd. It crumbling and growing from the coral over time also points to some kinda hyperplasia like growth. If the growth has a thin layer of skin over it that moves slightly in flow or when baster that would tell you it’s part of the coral, even though it’s abnormal.
I have heard stories of hyperplasia growths becoming huge problems so much so that the acros all had to be removed from the tanks.
Anyone have any other opinions?