Is this a sponge? How to care for it?

SimonSKL · 11/17/2010, 02:53 PM

I bought this at a local frag meet because it was so beautiful. I was told it does not like lots of light so I stuck it in between live rocks in a dark spot in my tank. For almost 3 weeks, nothing happened so I decided to mount it on a disk and placed it on the bottom with some light. Within an hour, it started to bloom. This is what it looks like this morning. Anyone cares to identify this and gives me some advice so I can give it good growth?

seapug · 11/17/2010, 03:22 PM

It's a sponge covered with non-photosynthetic zoanthids (Parazoanthus sp. I believe). Very beautiful but usually hard to keep alive in captivity unless you are experienced with NPS corals (non photosynthetic). The sponge will feed on organic matter in the water column and the zoanthids (the white part) will need to be directly fed. It'll probably require some experimenting to get a response, but Cyclop-eez and Prawn Eggs usually work well.

nitro4kthompson · 11/18/2010, 01:00 AM

http://www.vividaquariums.com/10Expa...ode=02-2514-10 Hope this helps.

SimonSKL · 11/18/2010, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitro4kthompson

http://www.vividaquariums.com/10Expa...ode=02-2514-10 Hope this helps.

Thanks nitro! The link is very useful.

Palting · 11/18/2010, 12:03 PM

I don't blame you for picking that up before knowing what it is. I'd probably do the same thing. It is gorgeous!

SimonSKL · 11/18/2010, 12:12 PM

After reading all the links and info you all provided, it scares me that no one has successfully kept this kind of sponge alive for more than 1 yr

. Oh well, I guess I will just enjoy this sponge for as long as it can last, like fresh cut flowers. If it lasts for 3 months, it is definitely worth the $15 that I paid for it. Thank you all for the info.

11/17/2010, 02:53 PM	#1
SimonSKL Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Danville, IL Posts: 1,918	Is this a sponge? How to care for it? I bought this at a local frag meet because it was so beautiful. I was told it does not like lots of light so I stuck it in between live rocks in a dark spot in my tank. For almost 3 weeks, nothing happened so I decided to mount it on a disk and placed it on the bottom with some light. Within an hour, it started to bloom. This is what it looks like this morning. Anyone cares to identify this and gives me some advice so I can give it good growth? __________________ Simon Mixed LPS and SPS corals Camera - Canon T2i with EF100mm 2.8f USM macro lens Current Tank Info: AG 92g corner tank and Marineland 125g, RKE controllers, Maxspect and Eshine LEDs, MP40WES, Jebo WP40 & WP25

11/18/2010, 12:03 PM	#5
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	I don't blame you for picking that up before knowing what it is. I'd probably do the same thing. It is gorgeous! __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

11/18/2010, 12:12 PM	#6
SimonSKL Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Danville, IL Posts: 1,918	After reading all the links and info you all provided, it scares me that no one has successfully kept this kind of sponge alive for more than 1 yr. Oh well, I guess I will just enjoy this sponge for as long as it can last, like fresh cut flowers. If it lasts for 3 months, it is definitely worth the $15 that I paid for it. Thank you all for the info. __________________ Simon Mixed LPS and SPS corals Camera - Canon T2i with EF100mm 2.8f USM macro lens Current Tank Info: AG 92g corner tank and Marineland 125g, RKE controllers, Maxspect and Eshine LEDs, MP40WES, Jebo WP40 & WP25

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11/17/2010, 03:22 PM	#2
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	It's a sponge covered with non-photosynthetic zoanthids (Parazoanthus sp. I believe). Very beautiful but usually hard to keep alive in captivity unless you are experienced with NPS corals (non photosynthetic). The sponge will feed on organic matter in the water column and the zoanthids (the white part) will need to be directly fed. It'll probably require some experimenting to get a response, but Cyclop-eez and Prawn Eggs usually work well.

11/18/2010, 01:00 AM	#3
nitro4kthompson Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: mccalla,alabama Posts: 273	http://www.vividaquariums.com/10Expa...ode=02-2514-10 Hope this helps.