Sponges in reef tanks?

I have had a sponge in my tank for over six months - I never dreamed it would be a problem and hasn't been, but I will start researching!
 
There is a good book called 'Reef Invertebrates' that goes in to sponges (and everything else it discusses) with great detail. The biggest issue is that most tanks can't feed sponges. One downside that has been touched on is that with inadequate water changes toxins can build up in the system, but this is true of corals and other invertebrates too, they all give off certain chemicals and are aware of each other's presence which can turn in to an all out battle for space. The book does talk them up as a great addition if the system can actually support and discourages those whose systems cannot from getting them. The book says that the best ones are the ones hardy enough to come in on live rock and not the nicely colored ones that are babied the whole way from the ocean, those tend to be pretty sensitive.

I have not heard of them stinging anyone. They are filter feeders and do not sting and attack prey the way something like and anemone would. If they did it would be in defense, but I have not heard of this anywhere.
 
Hi everyone, I have a blue sponge in my tank that I have had for about 3-4 months now. It has attached itself to the rock I placed it on and has grown twice it's original size as well. I haven't had any problems with toxcicity or stinging.
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reptileguy2727 said:
I have not heard of them stinging anyone. They are filter feeders and do not sting and attack prey the way something like and anemone would. If they did it would be in defense, but I have not heard of this anywhere.
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LOL, come to the LFS I work at and start flipping around rocks in the Live Rock bins we have.. I guarantee you that you will be stung multiple times by sponges.. it feels like you get fiberglass under your skin. Not very painful, but itches and is really annoying for the rest of the day. Sponges definately sting when grabbed, but like you said, as a defensive measure, not an offensive one. When your talking 100's of lbs of rock in a live rock bin that people are always digging through to find good rocks, stinging happens just about every time and we warn people and even offer gloves to them when they do go digging in the bins.
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Is that actually stinging or just their spicules sticking into you? Their spicules are made of various materials and many have a very pointy structure that I could imagine (now that you mention it) feel like fiberglass. I have never heard of it though which makes me think it may be a side benefit of the natural structure of their spicules. Make sense though, good way to reduce how many things eat you.
 
Your right, it is probably the spicules sticking into you. Still though, sponges grow pretty fast in the right conditions and I would hate for a sponge to grow into a nice SPS colony in my tank and stick it/grow onto it killing the coral. I have seen sponges grow into mushrooms causing the mushroom to detach and float away so sponges can have a negative effect on the surrounding area when they grow.
 
Placement is important with any inhabitant though, including foresight of their potential size and keeping that in check. So I would not consider that any more of an issue with a sponge than anything else someone may add.

The book previously cited talks up their benefits a lot and they do seem to greatly outweigh any of the easy to control possible consequences.

I always wondered why their spicules were shaped the way so many are when I have seen microscope images of them. It makes perfect sense that it is a defense against all the potential spongivores.
 
I need to make it there to some of these LFS that have sponges on rocks, or even carry rock. I'm begging my LFS to get in some cheap sponges to toss in with my queen angel to supplement her diet.
 
Some foods (at least one frozen) are now putting sponges in their mix. The best live ones are those that come in naturally on the live rock, not the ones they would get in if they ordered them. Those are more decorative and expensive. One of the places I shop at the most has a bunch of sponges all through a couple of their systems, just small ugly white/gray ones.
 
The ugly white/gray ones are the only ones that grow in my tank, and I do not thing angels eat that kind.
I agree, lots of newer food come with sponge for angels.
 
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