What is this growth on candy cane?

[Dazed1]

I'm seeing this white growth around the head of the candy cane. What is it? this picture was taken when the lights were off. Else it would have been difficult to see.

 

[Cubbies]

It looks like some sort of sponge.

 

[SushiGirl]

Yep, sponge.

 

[kevlow]

I have one in the tank now that looks exactly like that. When the water stays really clean at undected levels nitrate and phosphate, it stays the same size or shinks. If I 'trate up the water alittle it grows. I actually experimented with this to make sure I was not imagining it. I now keep it in it's mini sponge state but niether receding or increasing growth. I have begun to think of it as my natural Hanna Nitrate checker. When the sponge is withering fast nothing grows fast. When the sponge grows larger then the LPS grow and divide quickly but SPS only maintain. When the sponge maintains a small state then SPS thrive and LPS look good but multiply at a slower rate.

IMHO, I think it is a good thing to have in the tank.

kevin

 

[TucanSam007]

I have one too on my sun corals. Thanks for for observation kevlow I will keep that in mind .