Caulastrea under attack!

[Brewsky]

I have a few questions about this Caulastrea I've had for over 6 months.

Originally the stems were exposed rock. Then I noticed the first green polyp (just to the upper left of the ricordia). Now I've got five of these polyps.

Question 1: Any guesses what species or family the polyps are?

The polyps appear to be stinging the Caulastrea - it's not fully expanding and is discoloured at the point of contact. So, I feel that an extraction is in order.

Question 2: Any suggestions how I can remove them from the skeleton?

In the second shot, you can see that the gaps between the stems of the Caulastrea are also filled with an orange sponge.

Question 3: Any suggestions how I can expunge it?

Cheers!

 

[Brewsky]

Polyp close up

Polyp close up

Here's the best close up of the polyp I could fit in my 50K upload limit:

Cheers!