Dying sponge what to do?

SaltH2oNewb

New member
My purple sponge that came on a piece of love rock I bought looks like it is dying should I try removing it ? New to the hobby any info is appreciated :) thanks
 

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It certainly does look more dead than alive! I would suggest removing the rock from the tank and scraping off as much as you can, then scrubbing the area with a small stiff brush. Rinse the rock in a little old tank water and put it back in your tank.

How old is your tank? Eventually sponges will just sort of show up on their own, although many, if exposed to air, are doomed from the get-go.
 
Yeah, sponges are tricky, some will never make it, and some will thrive in your tank. I have ~5 types from my live rock that do well and have been sustaining for 10 years.

One thing I have noticed, unless it is a photosynthetic, do not place them in light. All the sponges I have are on the undersides of rocks and generally get decimated by algea and do not do well in direct light. Whenever I do any rock changes I have to re-place a few of my white ball sponges to keep them shaded (although they tolerate light the most).
 
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