Fungus or sponge on zoas?

[beeblebrox]

So, for the last couple of weeks this strange fuzz has appeared on one of my zoa frags. At first I thought it was a fungus but it has since started to grow what seem to be 'branches'. I'll attach some pics...is it a sponge or a fungus, and should I be concerned either way? (It has creeped out a bit onto the live rock as well).

 

[PR_Reefers]

From the looks of it.... I believe it's a sponge!... nothing to worry about unless you don't like it...lol... aside that it might delay or compete with your zoas for space though....definitely won't harm them.. but you can try and carefully remove it!
hope that helps

 

[beeblebrox]

Sweet thanks, I'll just let it grow since I'm adding seahorses when the time is right.

 

[organism]

Have you read up a lot on seahorse care out of curiosity? They're not the easiest things to keep unfortunately...

 

[beeblebrox]

Yeah, I have done extensive reading and talking to LSF staff...I realize it would be no simple endeavor and that's why I have been extremely patient, I have had my tank running for six months now without livestock (save for some hermits, snails, sexy shrimp, Halimeda and soft corals) so that I can ensure proper chem levels/water quality in such a small system (10 gal.)...The only trouble I'm having at the moment is keeping alive this carnivorous gorgonian (I forgot the name of it, pics may help) that was given as a gift to me and came with spots of deterioration, I was able to nurse it back to full health but it has again started to deteriorate, so I'm just doing everything I can for it with my fingers crossed...

 

[Swanwillow]

How are your zoanthids doing? I have a colony that has a yellowish sponge growing around it, and I'm pretty sure its restricting growth

 

[JDK]

I have this same thing on a zoa patch right now. It looks like yours. I will try and upload a pic tomorrow.