Sponge growth out of NOWHERE!! Can I/should I move it?

Morgadeth

Morgadeth

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Sep 19, 2007
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Ft Drum NY
Been a while since I posted..
The tank's doing great, other than my anemone committing suicide (sent itself through one of the powerheads)

I was tooling around in the sump, and I found something interesting:
I have several small clusters of sponge growing on one of the small pieces of rock I have in there!

Thing is, all I have for light on the sump is one standard aquarium bulb, and one 50/50 bulb. I know sponges don't require lots of light, but I'd think the flow in my main tank would be better for survival..

Plus, I like looking at them..

Should I move them? Plus, would they be in danger of getting chewed on by anything? I'd be most worried about my tang, or blennies, possibly?

Thanks for any opinions!!


BTW; I made some rock out of concrete, and after several weeks of soaking I added them to my tank. I'm pleased to say, they are getting nicely crusted in coraline algea!
 
Morgadeth said:
Been a while since I posted..
The tank's doing great, other than my anemone committing suicide (sent itself through one of the powerheads)

I was tooling around in the sump, and I found something interesting:
I have several small clusters of sponge growing on one of the small pieces of rock I have in there!

Thing is, all I have for light on the sump is one standard aquarium bulb, and one 50/50 bulb. I know sponges don't require lots of light, but I'd think the flow in my main tank would be better for survival..

Plus, I like looking at them..

Should I move them? Plus, would they be in danger of getting chewed on by anything? I'd be most worried about my tang, or blennies, possibly?

Thanks for any opinions!!


BTW; I made some rock out of concrete, and after several weeks of soaking I added them to my tank. I'm pleased to say, they are getting nicely crusted in coraline algea!
Click to expand...


If they are the ball sponges you have growing on the live rock, simply propogate some from the rock in the sump up to the display tank..Cut them off the rock with a very sharp scalpel blade and wedge into a crack int he live rock...Within a couple of weeks, it will of taken hold on the rock...They spread good given a good nutrient level...Also, yes, there is some possibility of sponges being fed on...
 
Here's a pic of what I've got.. The large one is about the size of a nickel.

I have no idea how long the've been growing in there; I do know I killed a HUGE aiptasia off that rock quite a while back..

101_1121.JPG
 
I was told they might actually be "sea squirts" by my lfs owner..
Is that a possibility?

Either way, I'm unsure how they got in my tank.. Obviously, there was some life tucked in a corner somewhere..
 
More than likely, they are not ascidians (or "sea squirts"). Sea squirts are very distinctive, in that they have muscular sphincters on each siphon. If you touch them, they will literally contract, only to reopen shortly thereafter.
 
Amphiprion said:
More than likely, they are not ascidians (or "sea squirts"). Sea squirts are very distinctive, in that they have muscular sphincters on each siphon. If you touch them, they will literally contract, only to reopen shortly thereafter.
Click to expand...


Agreed....To add, sponges will form and grow out of nowhere in your tank, expect to see more of them as the tank matures..
 
Yeah, I did a little comparitive research as well.. Definitely doesn't look like any of the pics of sea squirts I found.

Are they safe to touch? I'm assuming I'll need to cut them underwater to prevent air exposure, but I want to ensure I don't get stung, like everything else in my tank likes to do to me..
 
Morgadeth said:
Yeah, I did a little comparitive research as well.. Definitely doesn't look like any of the pics of sea squirts I found.

Are they safe to touch? I'm assuming I'll need to cut them underwater to prevent air exposure, but I want to ensure I don't get stung, like everything else in my tank likes to do to me..
Click to expand...


Yes, all propagation does need to be done in the confines of water..They will sting you. Have touched many types / SP. of sponge before and nothing ever was felt by myself...
 
Ah... So, roll the dice if I want to..

Got it..
 
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