Is this a piece of mushroom coral?

[farfromsea]

Got everything in the tank used as well as the live rock. There was a purple substance on one of the lives rocks and I just presumed it was coraline but after researching corals now I am concerned it is a piece of mushroom coral that was left behind from when the previous owner's tank crashed.

If it is mushroom coral do I need to be concerned? I'm running the cycle without the lights on. I do not want mushrooms in the tank.

https://flic.kr/p/Ha3qbj
https://flic.kr/p/Ha3pSo

file too large to upload as attachment. pics in link above!

 

[thegrun]

The picture is nr clear enough to ID. I would say either a mushroom or a sponge. If you are absolutely sure you do not want mushrooms then I would remove it.

 

[farfromsea]

Answered my own question with research on how to remove mushroom coral. http://www.mrsaltwatertank.com/terrible-advice-tuesdays-t-a-tues-mushroom-eradication-is-easy/

Will probably take the rock to the LFS to see if they can identify it. I wish I could take better pictures but with my DSLR/lame skills that is as good as I can do. I imagine if it is a sponge it wouldn't be an issue and have no need to remove it... My main concern is that it is a mushroom because I do not want that thing taking over the tank and killing other (future) corals.

Can't really imagine it is still alive after everything it has been through and it has shown no growth so we will see.

 

[farfromsea]

and thanks! sorry deleted that when I edited I think

 

[LED Jack]

I do not think that is a coral at all. Just a colored portion of the rock.

 

[farfromsea]

I do not think that is a coral at all. Just a colored portion of the rock.

well it is really weird. not the same texture of the rock at all and does not appear to be the same material. I would almost describe it as a piece of beef jerky stuck to the rock but it is a little smoother and of course purple-grey

 

[LED Jack]

I didn't mention this earlier but it can be epoxy. That would be my best guess.

 

[farfromsea]

Ah. You are probably correct. The size of the thing hasn't changed in a week and I would have thought it would be dead by now if it was a living creature. After some looking around it strongly resembles "Tunze Coral Gum Reef Epoxy" which I presume one of the original owners used to 'scape with.

Pic for anyone else who may end up here https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dyCpo855vfA/maxresdefault.jpg

Thanks!!