carverbeezkneez
New member
Hello! I am a long time lurker, short time poster.
I should start by saying that I am an avid acan collector, with many species and multiple color variations. I have noticed that a lot of colonies and frags have come in with sponges right along the bottom of the acan, or from under the glue spot on the frag plug. The sponges range in color from pink to grey and white. They seem to stop the new growth from encrusting, or spreading over, or past the sponge. It seems to be mostly on the lords, and has not come in on or spread to any bowerbankis or echinatas.
My original thought was that the sponges came in on live rock, and spread in my tank due to weak lighting, but even after a lighting upgrade recent acans from different sources have come in with sponges on them in the same manner. Both frags and colonies have had them. I have a small unknown acan that I have had for at least 2 years that has literally not grown more than a 1/4" due to the sponges.
Just wondering if anyone else has noticed this or had this problem. The research I have done says to cut, but in some cases this is not an option. I have tried iodine dips, leaving out in the air for at least 10 min and a diluted peroxide dip. I am not sure what other options I have or if there is anything reef safe that eats sponges.
I guess I should also add that the acans are completely healthy, puffy, feeding, colorful and look great. Other than they are not spreading.
Thanks ahead of time, I will follow up with some pictures hopefully in the morning. I also hope to start a tank thread soon!
Andrew
I should start by saying that I am an avid acan collector, with many species and multiple color variations. I have noticed that a lot of colonies and frags have come in with sponges right along the bottom of the acan, or from under the glue spot on the frag plug. The sponges range in color from pink to grey and white. They seem to stop the new growth from encrusting, or spreading over, or past the sponge. It seems to be mostly on the lords, and has not come in on or spread to any bowerbankis or echinatas.
My original thought was that the sponges came in on live rock, and spread in my tank due to weak lighting, but even after a lighting upgrade recent acans from different sources have come in with sponges on them in the same manner. Both frags and colonies have had them. I have a small unknown acan that I have had for at least 2 years that has literally not grown more than a 1/4" due to the sponges.
Just wondering if anyone else has noticed this or had this problem. The research I have done says to cut, but in some cases this is not an option. I have tried iodine dips, leaving out in the air for at least 10 min and a diluted peroxide dip. I am not sure what other options I have or if there is anything reef safe that eats sponges.
I guess I should also add that the acans are completely healthy, puffy, feeding, colorful and look great. Other than they are not spreading.
Thanks ahead of time, I will follow up with some pictures hopefully in the morning. I also hope to start a tank thread soon!
Andrew
