Sponges in reef tanks?

Horchata

Horchata

The General
Mar 24, 2008
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I bought an awesome sponge today at my LFS, and was later told by a friend that sponges are not good for reef tanks. Is this true? I've never heard this one, but I want to make sure before its too late. I floated the sponge, and put it on a rock in the tank, and it looks beautiful.

anybody?
 
I know they take forever plus many years to grow! Bad for a reef tank? I have never heard that, from experienced reefers, nor have I read it anywhere.

The more sponges, the better!
 
Eh.. less sponges the better for me. Yes they are good filter feeders.. but they also pack a mean sting. Unless it is a very colorful sponge, I usually take the rock out and scrub off any sponges so it doesn't sting me or my corals. I say they are bad for my tank, but won't say they are bad for anyone elses. I will leave that up to each person to decide.
 
I have never heard of sponges being bad for reefs. Where did you get it from??
 
Sponges are excellent filter feeders but can perish easily such as from an air bubble trapped inside during relocation. If they die they can give off toxins and pollute your tank. I would suggest placing it in a QT tank for a month or longer. If it does well there move it carefully into your reef, being sure it does not come into contact with the air. Then watch it for any signs of deterioration over the next few weeks. Once acclimated to its new surroundings your problem will be in providing enough food. You will also need to be sure there are no sponge eating inhabitants in the tank and, of course, keep it a distance from any corals. Stinging tentacles from the corals could also kill it.

Charlie
 
I've actually heard it mentioned before, so I just did a little bit of reading. This is from "A PocketExpert Guide to Marine Invertebrates" it seems to mainly refer to the Demosponges

Blue finger sponge - Toxic; may overgrow or poison other animals. Not good aquarium animals.

Orange ball sponges _ May be toxic and may overgrow or poison other immobile animals. Otherwise they may be fine animals for the aquarium.

orange tree sponges - Toxic; may overgrow or poison other animals. Not good aquarium animals.
 
There are specialized wrasses and nudibrachs that eat sponge, decorator crabs can stick a pies on its body..but not too many things eat it that come from a LFS. Most that do eat sponge are specialized feeders and are so hard to feed that you never see them.
 
I had a nice piece of rock that was covered with some nice purple sponge. I Have an Atlantic Pygmy Angel. Now I have a sponge-less rock as well! She ate it all.
 
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