Torch Coral with WHITE cotton like growth *pics*

Colts2Broncos

Colts2Broncos

New member
I found this tonight and immediately started hunting for an answer. My first thought was Brown Jelly Disease but from what I have read and viewed pictures of, this doesn't seem to be the case. This torch has been in the tank about 2 months now and has been doing splendidly. Expanding beautifully every day, 'eating' well and just being awesome. Suddenly tonight we see this white cottony looking deal off the back of the stony head. I'm sure it had to have been there all day and we never saw it with the coral expanded but it's got me worried. It literally looks like cotton. Not anything like what I have seen Brown Jelly Disease look like. I have attached pics for a possible ID. Salinity level is 1.024, all other parameters are in a good range and we have added nothing to the tank for over 7 weeks. We haven't moved anyone around nor have we seen any sweeper tentacles to signify fighting. Only 2 other corals are anywhere near this one. A Brown Leather Toadstool and a GSP. Both are below the Torch and neither could do anything with the waterflow... I'm hoping this isn't anything to worry about but I'm not going to get my hopes up either.





 
The pictures aren't clear enough but I think it looks like white sponge. Try peeling it off with your fingernail if it is.
 
OK... thats better than what I was expecting. I'm going to go look this up, but is a pineapple sponge good or bad? And with nothing added in like 6 - 8 weeks how in the world could it have gotten there? And it probably attached to whatever, not knowing that it's one of my favorite corals. I'll try to get better pics tomorrow, thanks for the response though!
 
I agree with the pineapple sponge :thumbsup:. Just carefully peel it off.
 
So if (when) I peel it off, do I put it somewhere in the tank (I don't want it on my torch coral or just toss it out? I've read they can be helpful but also invasive like aptasia or majanos...
 
It's up to you really. I have some which always grow on my hang on back skimmer and I toss them out.
 
It's a pineapple sponge.

They can be invasive only if your nutrients are through the roof. If you want to control them, then just cut your nutrients down. I don't think I've ever seen a tank without at least a few here and there...once they're in, there's no real way to get rid of them other than by adding fish that eat them (and will probably also eat your corals.)

Honestly, they're not bad...they only grow in the dark boring spots in my tanks, so they give some extra life there.
 
OK then... so it's a bit like majanos but not as nasty. I can handle that. Thanks so much guys, I'd be lost without all the info and knowledge you guys offer...
 
I was just referring to the part where they can multiply fast and being tough to get rid of... I've dealt with majanos, but caught them early (thanks to this forum) and managed to, at least for the moment, eradicate them.
 
There's no reason to eradicate them. They're a harmless filter feeder. They usually only grow in darker areas, so they typically aren't anywhere near coral. That's the great thing about aquariums...you'll get all sorts of neat, beneficial critters that you didn't expect. Sponges are one of them.
 
Well that is what concerned me initially. It has attached to the back side of my torch coral, right on the side of one of the heads. The torch doesn't seen bothered by it, if it was I'd think it would sting it. But it expands and retracts like it always has. I'm loving watching all the cool stuff we didn't buy pop up here and there :)
 
Yeah, pineapple sponges aren't usually invasive (ie harmful to coral.) That one just picked an unlucky spot to land (which is unusual for them.) If you don't like it, just scrape it off gently. You could use a bit of superglue gel over the area to help it not come back. There are some invasive sponges out there...they're a pain.
 
Great, thanks again guys, you've been a HUGE help :) Now I can go back to enjoying my beautiful corals and not worry about them SO much ;)
 
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