what kind of plant is this thats taking over my rocks.

[level65druid]

I have this picture in the marine plant section as well but not many responses. Can someone try to id this? its slowly spreading in lighted areas, doesn't look like any sponges or algae that i have seen pictures of online. It doesn't blow off with a turkey baster and has a firm hold of the rocks. When i try to scrape it off, it comes off in little bits and pieces. No snails will even climb on this stuff they just avoid it. This tank is only 3months old and the 3 corals i have in there all came from my 5g pico that i had for 6months where this stuff did not exist. I used carib sea bacteria infused life rocks for this new tank and dead sand. I don't know how this stuff got in here. Advice on course of action would be appreciated.

<a href="http://s1108.photobucket.com/user/level65druid/media/IMG_0094_zps6mb68i3s.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h406/level65druid/IMG_0094_zps6mb68i3s.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0094_zps6mb68i3s.jpg"/></a>

 

[level65druid]

<a href="http://s1108.photobucket.com/user/level65druid/media/IMG_0093_zpsbj53duyt.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h406/level65druid/IMG_0093_zpsbj53duyt.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0093_zpsbj53duyt.jpg"/></a>

 

[bertoni]

I'm not sure, but that looks like a sponge.

 

[karimwassef]

is it bothering anything?

 

[level65druid]

its not near a coral so I don't know if its bothering anything but it looks really terrible. I'm scared to scrub it fearing it might release something.

 

[karimwassef]

I think sponges are generally beneficial and photosynthetic sponges are uncommon. Maybe you can take a sample in to a LFS?

 

[tmz]

It appears to be what is commonly known as sulfur sponge/ boring sponge(Cliona species) . They are found worldwide particularly in the Carribean and West Atlantic but reach Eurpean waters and even Alaskan waters as a non indeginous species of concern to some mollusks. I have some in my tanks : it is usually harmless : can be peeled /scraped off surfaces . It can grow over a coral though ;so I do scrape it away from fringe areas where the coral may touch it. It takes what it needs from the water. Doesn't care about low nitrate and phosphate but seems to benefit from extra organic carbon.

 

[bertoni]

Peeling the sponge off should be safe enough, particularly if you remove the bulk of the tissue from the tank. I'd work with gloves, and do small patches at a time, to prevent dumping a lot of organics into the water column. The dead sponge should be dumped carefully into the garbage. It might contain some toxins.