Impulse buy...strange sponge

[CyberGuy]

Last week I got this strange looking orange sponge. This sponge has some type of symbiotic white streaks of polyps that makes an interesting color pattern.

Does anyone have any experience dealing with sponge? I only know that sponge cannot be exposed to air and that they are filter feeder. Perhaps it needs moderate current but low lighting.

I hope this sponge will do well in my tank. I like the way it adds color to the tank.

http://i12.tinypic.com/53gfrpv.jpg

Closer look at the white polyps. The polyps open wide in the daytime in strong lighting.

http://i12.tinypic.com/4r7ehja.jpg

Tank shots:

http://i7.tinypic.com/4vq02ua.jpg

http://i15.tinypic.com/52vwsqd.jpg

[DaChrisDude]

holy smokes that's awesome Phil! Very very cool. (great looking tank, too!)

Do you think the white is parasitic in nature?

[CyberGuy]

I don't even know if it is symbiotic or parasitic. It is strange though. I have never seen it before.

[barometer]

I could have sworn I just saw one of those at OG this weekend and thought it was so cool. Someone was actually there buying it while I was there, maybe even this one?

Super neat, though I know nothing about it. Can't wait to see if anyone does. :)

[CyberGuy]

I could have sworn I just saw one of those at OG this weekend and thought it was so cool. Someone was actually there buying it while I was there, maybe even this one?

Super neat, though I know nothing about it. Can't wait to see if anyone does. :)

I bought it at OG and it was Jordan who introduce me to it. However, I bought it on Friday so I guess there are more than 1 of these.

It was an impulse buy and I am glad I bought it now.

[pako73]

Sweet pick up...loving the pattern!!!

Damn, look at those dendros...love those too!!!

Btw-awesome tank for sure!!!

[SDguy]

Very cool! It screams heterotrophic though, so I'd start trying to feed at least the polyps something...

[CyberGuy]

Very cool! It screams heterotrophic though, so I'd start trying to feed at least the polyps something...

Yup, I fed the dendros nearby and that white polyp actually caught one of the mysis and was eating it. Pretty cool view.

[barometer]

I bought it at OG and it was Jordan who introduce me to it. However, I bought it on Friday so I guess there are more than 1 of these.

It was an impulse buy and I am glad I bought it now.

LOL, sorry my 'weekend' started on Friday. We haven't met yet, but I think I was there when you were and there may be just that one.

[CyberGuy]

Lunch time....

http://i18.tinypic.com/4lik3yc.jpg

[CyberGuy]

Do you think the white is parasitic in nature?

You know what, now that I think about it, if this thing is parasitic and crawl on the rocks and reproduce like aptasia....YIKES!!!

[iVgOnMaD]

Good point there, maybe its not just the sponge

[rhinochaser]

MMMMMM that looks like it tastes goood!

[Jessy]

SO YOU"RE THE LUCKY ONE! I went into OG to get that thing, and it was already swiped up! Congrats it looks great. They said it was a sponge with the encrusting polyps. You might have two corals in one.

EDIT: Seems like you figured that out already. Posted before I read the whole thread. I just go so stoked to know who bough that beauty so I can get a frag eventually:eek: :rolleyes: :D :D j/k

[OGzThatsRight!]

those "things" on it are a type of tunicate thier not parasitc, but can encrust the whole sponge...there for choking it out. but thats proly the coolest sponge-tunicate combo ive ever seen..keep feeding it!!!

[coral diver]

Put me in line when you are ready to frag it :D :eek:

[onad75]

thats a nice lobo you got from Jasper.

[SDguy]

those "things" on it are a type of tunicate thier not parasitc, but can encrust the whole sponge...there for choking it out. but thats proly the coolest sponge-tunicate combo ive ever seen..keep feeding it!!!


I'm pretty sure those are zoanthids of some sort, not colonial tunicates. Look up zoanthids on the web or wetwebmedia and you'll see several examples of them living in/on sponges.

[kjsreef]

Found this which has some interesting information. They are in fact parazoanthus and will need to be fed.

Parazoanthus and Epizoanthus:
Members of these genera are epizootic, meaning they live on other animals. Parazoanthus and Epizoanthus are almost exclusively found associated with sponges and hydroids, though they may also grow on gorgonian skeletons and even freely. They do not harbor zooxanthellae and thus must be fed zooplankton regularly in order to thrive. They occur where there are strong currents that carry plankton, so the water motion in the aquarium housing them should be swift and laminar. The association with sponges is believed to protect the sponges from predators. These zoanthid polyps are toxic and may also sting sponge eaters such as large angelfish.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/invert.htm

[seahorse_man]

Hey Cyber how is the sponge?

[iwantone]

Those could be epizoanthids. I'm not aware of tunicates having tentacles...

[CyberGuy]

Hey Cyber how is the sponge?

Here is today's picture of the sponge. It is still doing pretty well. I love the color that it adds to the tank.

http://i14.tinypic.com/4q6jin4.jpg

[Bogg]

WOW thas awesome. I hope it will last a long time.

[Nick_Kun]

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/images/feb2003/Parazoanthsponge.jpg

yeah defnately nice, they definately look like parazoanthus.

[DaChrisDude]

that's soo cool...

[seahorse_man]

Looks good

[Techknowledgy]

Put me in line for a frag! It is beautiful!

[seahorse_man]

Cyber as much as these guys beg don't frag it,sponges don't do very good when cut.

[Pure Magic79]

I love that strange sponge. I look at it quite a bit. It is my favorite coral I've ever seen. How is it doing? Has the sponge grown any? Is it ready to be frag'd?

Rob

[marineman1978]

really nice sponge. Looks like 1/2 and 1/2 ice cream.