What is this?

[OrionGirl]

There are hundreds of kinds of sponges. Most are harmless--they just filter water, and prefer low light areas. I like sponges--some are cool colors and shapes.

No special care, but do be careful touching them. Some contain spicules--little tiny glass-like shards. Not toxic, but annoying as heck if you get them in your skin.

 

[petcrazy213]

I think I know ...

I think I have been "sponged" by some of those tiny glass-like shards you mentioned. I no longer rinse my power filter fiber using bare hands because several times I have gotten tiny clear "splinter-like" things stuck in my skin. :eeek: As you say they never caused any sickness but were quite uncomfortable until removed (very difficult I might add). I now either just rinse with very hard squirting water or by using the end of a scrub brush (the non spongy end). I am thinking of getting a heavy-duty pair of dish washing gloves for this chore and tank stuff ... is there any specific kind you would suggest.

Also, I wanted to add that I think I know why this spongey has suddenly appeared ... I recently bought a pair of feather dusters and a small rock covered with soft corals. I then obviously had to buy filter feeder foods for those guys and I think that's why the spongy suddenly has appeared. It's finally getting enough food to grow! I think that's amazing actually ... since I've started feeding the filter feeder food I have seen some neat things come of my live rock. I found out that I have some cool looking worms (I think they are the spegehtti worms) that are growing out of various parts of some of my rock. Some are a whiteish color but there's one at the top that is a pretty orange. I love watching their arms, especially when food is put in the tank. It's like their doing a little dance!

I'm planning to get some more LR soon, I hope that there is some cool stuff there when I finally get it. It's like Christmas when I find these cool new things!