Zoa colony

[realz]

I noticed this today - do you think something like a branch is growing ? Can anyone help ID?

 

[DSC reef]

Looks like sponge.

 

[Isaac Alves]

What color is it? Likely a sponge.

 

[realz]

What color is it? Likely a sponge.

It's the same color as the picture, same as the colony.
Should i remove?

 

[Isaac Alves]

It's the same color as the picture, same as the colony.
Should i remove?

If this is a sponge, and very likely that it is, then I would just let it be. Sponges tend to spring up from live rock at times or may have hitchhiked with the zoas.

Typically, the sudden residence of a sponge is a sign of tank maturity. Also, it could also be a sign of extra nutrients in the water column--- this is good though. You can use the sponge as a natural barometer for nutrient levels. It will filter your water as well as start to recede as nutrient levels start to fall below what can sustain it.

Also, there are a ton of creatures that will eat sponges (angels, triggers, file fish and a host of invertebrates. )

All this being said, keep an eye on the zoas around it. It's more likely the zoas will kill the sponge, but it's good to be observant nonetheless.

 

[DSC reef]

It's the same color as the picture, same as the colony.
Should i remove?

Sponge can smother zoas but its typically a harmless filter feeder. Try removing with tweezers.

 

[Michael Naegeli]

I’d pull it out w tweezers. They actual can annoy Zoa. I have to pick em out every so often out a big ole eagle eye colony. Won’t kill em or anything but can grow into the polyp bases and get quite large. Yoke it out in my opinion