Daisy Polyps With Weird Hive Like Growth

[Caulfield]

I've had this knopia octocontacanalis coral approximately 3 months and has been doing well. Noticed 2 days ago this odd looking off-white hive like growth which seems to be growing from within it!

I'm referring to it as "hive like" because there is a funnel like growth with a similar visual texture to a hornet's (aka wasp) nest. Wider at the base, narrowing with a hole within it - as though a wasp was ready to exit it.

The polyps not fully open, as I was doing maintenance early this morning before the lights turned on.

Red circle shows the hole - arrow indicates center of hole.

Close-up is blow-up of wide view photo.

Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[MechEng99]

It looks like some type of sponge to me, and it may be invasive, so keep an eye on it.

Also, that looks more like tubipora musica. Either way, both species are technically soft corals (not LPS.)

 

[JDT Reef]

+1 on sponge

 

[Caulfield]

It looks like some type of sponge to me, and it may be invasive, so keep an eye on it.

Also, that looks more like tubipora musica. Either way, both species are technically soft corals (not LPS.)

+1 on sponge

The 'petals' on the snow white polyps are white (7 'leaf') and the center is green, much like a daisy flower. I'm not versed on the actual ID.

Regarding the sponge, how do I get rid of it? Hard to believe it's a friendly since it's growing on the rock like coral (which is why I would have thought it was an LPS).

I really do not want the risk. Do I just try and physically pull it off? Cut it off?