Sponge is taking over, what will take care of this?

[Rich8231]

Can anyone tell me what type of sponge this is? I've been doing a bunch of research and can't seem to find much on it. I've asked both places where I get my fish and know one can tell me. They started out slow, just one here one there kind of thing. But now as you can see in my picture, that piece of rock alone has 6 of them!!

I need to get this under control quickly, I've added more crabs and a coral banded shrimp. Wonder if maybe I need a specific type of crab?

 

[Keoki18]

Sponges are fantastic inhabitants of a reef system! I know many aquarists that would kill to have your problem lol. These are ball sponges, a type of leuconoid sponge. They, like most species of sponges, are filter feeders (I am unsure if this species is also photosynthetic or not). In any case, you shouldn't need to worry about them over taking your system (I think they look pretty good).

If you just cant stand the sight of them you could simply tear them off your self (might want to use gloves because sponges contain spicules that can be irritating to sensitive skin). Exposing them to air also spells doom for most species.

 

[Keoki18]

Some larger angelfish species will also eat sponges, but I'm not condoning that as a method of removal, rather, stating a fun fact.

 

[Rich8231]

Thanks Keoki! I didnt mind a few of them but now I literally have hundreds of them! I have tried ripping them off but they don't really come off they just squish down to nothing. I'll try exposing a piece of rock to air to see if that zaps them. I was really just hoping some crabs or other crustaceans would take care of it for me.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Most of us would love to have them in our tanks. If they don't encroach on any corals, I would leave them.

 

[lifeoffaith]

Yeah, wish I had that problem!

 

[Rich8231]

This may be a stupid question but what is the benefit of having these? I currently don't have any corals (long story).

 

[Keoki18]

They are filter feeders, so they are going to do a good job at clearing up water turbidity in terms of algal growth in the water column. Another fantastic attribute sponges posses is the ability to be a natural live rock adhesive. Sponges (maybe not necessarily this species) do a good job at bridging the gap between your rock work and add a bit more stability to your structure. A good rule of thumb is that biodiversity is key in keeping a healthy and long lasting reef aquarium. If it doesn't hurt, and it doesn't hinder, why remove it. I think this is part of the trade that I love the most. You build an entire world that is ever changing. A whole ecosystem in a box!

These guys are most likely exploding in your system because there is no competition for resources. Once you add more life (corals and other filter feeding inverts) you should start to see a natural decline in your population.

 

[Opcn]

It could be an issue of nutrient levels in your water. If you have too many nutrients and too much algae sponges will have more to eat and grow faster. There are some species of hitchiker starfish that will eat them, and some species of crab or shrimp (though none of the reef safe crab or shrimp species reliably eat sponges) but unless it's absolutely out of control and you cannot look at the tank without being repulsed by them I'd say you are better off with them than without them.

 

[SeaCucumberFan]

A problem? Seriously!? Nore sponge the better. Please send me all your sponges