Large sponge covered rock, ID and sustaining help!

[Praben]

A friend just dropped of a 5gallon bucket with what appears to be a sponge covered rock in it. Apparently he found it while out on his boat, off the central Florida coast.

I added a few pictures for ID purposes. I searched around some sponge sites as I have no experience with them and discovered I will probably never ID this thing.

There is a TON of life on this rock, little critters everywhere. There are a few other macro algae growing on the rock too. My question at this point, what is the best way to keep this thing alive. I don't want to add to my display tank for obvious reasons. What type of setup or QT should I use?

Sorry for the lack of knowledge here, I always research my purchases, this was thrown in my lap though. Thanks for the help in advance!

 

[aninjaatemyshoe]

You should let your friend know that collection of wild live rock is illegal in the US, before you post about it on the internet. Just a heads up...

 

[Praben]

I should have posted this originally, I told my friend not to bring me anything like this again and was against even accepting it. He knew I was into this hobby and "thought it was cool" and basically left it with me.

I figured at this point I might as well try to keep it alive. I was going to put it in a QT tank or something until I can figure out what to do with it. I don't have the means to return it wherever he found it (no boat), but could return it to a local beach (although I doubt that is good either). Suggestions?

 

[aninjaatemyshoe]

Nah, I wouldn't return it. In most cases, returning something to the ocean is far worse than taking it in the first place, ecologically speaking. I doubt you would get into any trouble for it, though don't take that as legal advice. Maybe someone else knows better.

Since you don't want to put it into your system, I would try to set up a small separate system for it, possibly seeded with a rock or two and some sand from your established system. The most important thing right now, in terms of keeping whatever is on it alive, is to have it in a stable system. Use water from your display as well to fill the separate system. From the looks of it, the rock is covered in an encrusting sponge, which is probably not that difficult to keep alive in a stable system.