Tentacle Sponge Thing. ID Help please

[tamn3]

Hi all,

I can't figure out what this pink tentacle thing is and its taking over my coral. I tried pulling the tentacles off but it grew back like crazy. Also, how do I get rid of it?

Thanks,

 

[LeslieH]

Are the tendrils coming from the sponge? That's one way they spread. If they are you'll have to take off every bit of the sponge otherwise it will keep on coming back.

 

[tamn3]

Yes. It is coming from the sponge. I tried removing them before but it keeps on growing back. Do you know of anything that I can use on it or any natural predator?

 

[LeslieH]

Sponges are very tenacious. The only 100% way to remove a sponge is to take out the rock & let it dry for a couple of weeks. Probably not the the best option for you..... Turtles eat some sponges but they're a little big for most tanks. Some nudibranchs eat sponges but each species tends to specialize on 1 sponge or a few related sponges and who eats what is largely unknown. Besides, when properly matched up the nudis will die of starvation after the sponge is gone. Unless you want to chip off the rock under the sponge - all of it - there will always be some remnant which can regrow.

Maybe some of the others here have had better luck removing sponges. Do a RC search for sponge removal and see what's been the most successful methods for other reefers.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

I've had that grwoing in my tank. I opted for manual removal and had to do it quite frequently to keep it in check. I was finally able to rid the area where it was growing, but still see some pop up from time to time.

 

[tamn3]

Thanks for all the input. I guess I'll keep having to plucking it off. Does it harm any corals in any way? I keep thinking that it's killing my mushroom coral.

 

[mjd33]

My blue linkia starfish eats them. At a very slow pace but it happens. Its kept him alive for almost 3 years now. A herd of linkia would be a cool way to keep them in check.:lmao: