Sponge? Type?

[dahouck]

Hello,

Got this on a rock 3 days ago. LFS said it was a type of sponge. It 'shed' yesterday and has 'opened' today. Cleaned it w/ a turkey baster and it immediately closed (less than a sec). It's about the size of a quarter.

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

30 g Eclipse
35 lb LR
2 clowns
1 d. goby
1 cleaner shrimp
ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 0
ph 8.4
temp 79

 

[Tayler]

thats not a sponge if it retracted when you blew water at sponges dont really retract. it might be a palythoa not sure though.

 

[philter4]

Do you know where the rock came from, if it was atlantic it is probably Palythoa caribaeorum. This zoanthid is the most common on in the shallow inshore reefs of florida, the problem with it, the reason it isn't in the hobby, is it is very toxic, that slime that it gave off will cause itching and a rash if it gets into a cut or sensative skin. It is also not very attractive when compared to other zoanthids. If the rock is from the pacific it isn't P. caribaeorum, but some other sp of zoo., deffinitaly not a sponge.

 

[dahouck]

Origin Unknown

Origin Unknown

I don't where it came from but I'll check and see if I can find out.

Thanks