Sponges and Seahorses

[JenC2012]

Does anyone know what sponges are safe to keep with seahorses? I'm worried about toxins, it's hard to find information on which are safe and which aren't. I have good water movement and a good skimmer. Has anyone had success with sponges and if so what type? Thank you!

 

[JenC2012]

Do the Australian white stripe sponge polyps sting, making it unsafe?

 

[funkejj]

are you talking about the Australian spider sponge? There are several I have seen here including us who have one in our tank.

 

[tjdouglas]

I have branching orange/red sponge (Ptilocaulis species?) and an orange ball sponge (Psuedaxinella lunaecharta) well as a bit of blue sponge (Haliclona spp.) in my seahorse tank. I do not know if these sponges emit any toxins, but using a Polyfilter pad in the tank as well as some kind of carbon would likely remove any toxins they might produce.

In my experience the blue sponge does well in the light, but the red/orange sponges need to stay out of direct light or they will brown over with algae and die.

 

[JenC2012]

I have branching orange/red sponge (Ptilocaulis species?) and an orange ball sponge (Psuedaxinella lunaecharta) well as a bit of blue sponge (Haliclona spp.) in my seahorse tank. I do not know if these sponges emit any toxins, but using a Polyfilter pad in the tank as well as some kind of carbon would likely remove any toxins they might produce.

In my experience the blue sponge does well in the light, but the red/orange sponges need to stay out of direct light or they will brown over with algae and die.

From what I've read the ball sponges do emit toxins. Its great that you have so many different types. How long have you been housing them?

 

[tjdouglas]

I have had the sponges for about six months. Do not seem to have any issues with toxins. But always run a little carbon and some polyfilter in the sump, so if there are any toxins they are removed quickly.