White stuff growing on polyps

[Laker32]

I have 2 different colonies that have this white stuff growing around the polyps. The polyps aren't affected and the entire colony is growing and super healthy. Picture was taken with the lights off in the morning sun.

 

[ReefMunchers]

It looks like a sponge! I wouldn't be worried

 

[uall8up]

+1 on white sponge. If you don't like it just clean it off.

 

[feh]

I've seen similar situations where some types of sponges will try to grow around LPS corals and irritate it. I'd keep an eye on it and if it becomes a problem I'd recommend removing the sponge some how because it could start irritating the polyps which may be the case in the in the pics since not all the polyps are opening.

 

[NanaReefer]

I've had this same sponge throughout my tank. Pretty harmless but if you wanna remove it, it comes off very easily via siphoning during a WC.


Sent from my iPhone 4s using Tapatalk

 

[Laker32]

I've seen similar situations where some types of sponges will try to grow around LPS corals and irritate it. I'd keep an eye on it and if it becomes a problem I'd recommend removing the sponge some how because it could start irritating the polyps which may be the case in the in the pics since not all the polyps are opening.

Thanks for the replies. The polyps are closed because the lights are out. I will try cleaning it of with tweezers during the next water change.
Lights on.

 

[joshporksandwich]

if you don't remove it it will outgrow your zoos and kill them

 

[kar2oons]

if you don't remove it it will outgrow your zoos and kill them

+1 I would just scrape it off it comes off easy with a q-tip


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Laker32]

if you don't remove it it will outgrow your zoos and kill them

I could see it taking over and keeping other polyps from growing. I will remove it tomorrow.
Thanks for all the replies.

 

[Tenor]

old tooth brush will do the trick

 

[Brad Miller]

Just found this old thread and the op had what I’ve been dealing with (same sponge chocking my zoos out)
My clementine was slowly being engulfed all the way up to under the polyps.
Could not scrape it off too well without hurting the polyps so I removed the colony from the rock it was on and dipped for about 4 minutes in 3% hydrogen peroxide and had to pick it all off with tweezers while also scraping it off the coral.
Tank has been on line now for just over a year.
Nitrates test at zero all the time (using Red Sea pro nitrate test kit)
Algae is almost all gone now along with bryopsis, hair algae and all the other nasty start up stuff.
Hope these sponges are next in line and I can start reading some nitrates soon.

Anyone know what this sponge is called ?