Sponge on frag- are they bad?

becact · 05/14/2009, 07:53 PM

I thought I read somewhere you do not want sponges in your aquarium. I just got a frag with a purple encrusting type of sponge on the plug and growing onto the coral. It is very soft, almost turns into a liquid when you touch it. Should I scrub it off or just let it be?

400M1963 · 05/14/2009, 08:01 PM

Sponges are livestock you can purchase. Once exposed to air they can be harmed. Too many harmed sponges can mean the die-off lengthens LR curing. Once cured the LR can sprout sponges that were not visible or the ones that are there will grow.

becact · 05/14/2009, 08:21 PM

I guess my real question is, will it overgrow the coral? It is a green birdsnest.

400M1963 · 05/14/2009, 08:36 PM

These encrusting sponges are welcome but don't grow big and fast. It's my experience they tend to like shaded places under rock. I treat them like bonus bio-diversity in tank when they pop up - another indicator of health of rig.

05/14/2009, 07:53 PM	#1
becact Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South Dakota Posts: 550	Sponge on frag- are they bad? I thought I read somewhere you do not want sponges in your aquarium. I just got a frag with a purple encrusting type of sponge on the plug and growing onto the coral. It is very soft, almost turns into a liquid when you touch it. Should I scrub it off or just let it be?

05/14/2009, 08:36 PM	#4
400M1963 Premium Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: NE, USA Posts: 282	These encrusting sponges are welcome but don't grow big and fast. It's my experience they tend to like shaded places under rock. I treat them like bonus bio-diversity in tank when they pop up - another indicator of health of rig. Last edited by 400M1963; 05/14/2009 at 08:47 PM.

05/14/2009, 08:01 PM	#2
400M1963 Premium Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: NE, USA Posts: 282	Sponges are livestock you can purchase. Once exposed to air they can be harmed. Too many harmed sponges can mean the die-off lengthens LR curing. Once cured the LR can sprout sponges that were not visible or the ones that are there will grow.

05/14/2009, 08:21 PM	#3
becact Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South Dakota Posts: 550	I guess my real question is, will it overgrow the coral? It is a green birdsnest.