Can anyone Identify this?

[delpni]

Hey all,

So I am attaching two pictures; the first one is a coral I have had for several months and is thriving (has more than doubled in size), though I do not know exactly what type it is (I have had a lot of suggestions, but nothing definitive). The second picture (the white 'tubes') are what I am trying to identify. I have had these white tubes growing all over two pieces of live rock that were placed within 6" of my coral. The tubes started off as a white 'squishy' film that covered about half of the rock and then formed into the tubes in the picture. Whatever this is, it's growing about an inch every month or two. I doubt it's anything harmful and I am hopeful it is a coral or sponge that is forming...any ideas?
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[slayer]

#1 a colt coral or finger leather . #2 a sponge

 

[ralph atl]

The first picture of that coral is impossible to identify without a lab & microscope, fwiw. Soft corals have eight tentacles and are called octocorallia. There are so many families that look alike......

 

[merkywater]

slayer;587145 wrote: #1 a colt coral or finger leather . #2 a sponge

+1

 

[delpni]

Is it my imagination, or does this look like the picture I posted?


Where Glass Sponge Reefs Are Found

alt="" /> The same species of glass sponge in this 2005 photo from British Columbia waters is one of a trio of reef-building sponges that have been discovered on the seafloor 30 miles west of Grays Harbor.
Credit: University of Victoria

 

[ralph atl]

nope

 

[rolo65]

First one looks like a chili coral(basically a red finger/colt/devils hand) and the 2 is definitely just your everyday sponge....but def not a glass sponge....I actually have a very similar sponge in my tank as yours....came outta no where...

 

[delpni]

Thanks everyone! I been caring for my coral as though it were a finger coral, but still wanted to know what I have. It was sold to the lfs (and myself) as a "young" coral; not very informative on that one, but the store was honest by telling me they were not certain that it was indeed a finger coral, etc. As for my second picture, the verdict is sponge, so I will treat it as such when I relocate it to my 90 gallon.

 

[delpni]

Thanks everyone! I've been caring for my coral as though it were a finger coral, but still wanted to know what I have. It was sold to the lfs (and myself) as a "young" coral; not very informative on that one, but the store was honest by telling me they were not certain that it was indeed a finger coral, etc. As for my second picture, the verdict is sponge, so I will treat it as such when I relocate it to my 90 gallon.

 

[patrick]

The sponge you have there can be a nuisance sometimes so I would recommend manually removing it when you do water changes. Usually most sponges are great to have, but that stuff can become a problem.

 

[hn1]

Patrick;587783 wrote: The sponge you have there can be a nuisance sometimes so I would recommend manually removing it when you do water changes. Usually most sponges are great to have, but that stuff can become a problem.

I've never known (or heard of) sponges to become invasive. They are beneficial filter feeders and good for a tank IMHO.

They do not do well when exposed to air.

 

[dakota9]

I've got the same type of sponge in my tank, but it's black...

 

[delpni]

Ok, so I found the sponge that is growing in my tank. I am posting the link (

 

[cbj25]

I had that exact same sponge in my tank about a year ago. I never identified but had zoas growing all around it and they never had a problem with them. I moved from Athens to Atlanta and the sponge was the only thing that did not make it, exposure to air I suppose. IMO prob a good filter feeder.