What is this? ID help please

[Unique Corals]

Sponge? Doesn't really mind being exposed to air. Feels like a leather coral to the touch. Growth shape similar to a pagoda. Growth rate extremely slow. Any ideas?

http://i687.photobucket.com/albums/vv238/paperarchitecture/aussie/_DSC0409.jpg

http://i687.photobucket.com/albums/vv238/paperarchitecture/aussie/_DSC0410.jpg

http://i687.photobucket.com/albums/vv238/paperarchitecture/aussie/_DSC0415.jpg

http://i687.photobucket.com/albums/vv238/paperarchitecture/aussie/IMG_8572.jpg

http://i687.photobucket.com/albums/vv238/paperarchitecture/aussie/IMG_8573.jpg

[sharksr4thesea]

both are possible answers, ive seen finger leathers with the exact same shape and look. ive also seen tree sponges with the same look but they werent purple, they were a deep red.

but finger leather jumps out to me real quick

i dont see anything like a pagoda or cup coral with this so, hopefully..that helps narrow your search?

let me know, its beautiful either way

[Josh72836G]

Very strange.... Doesn't look like it has any polyps. Did you see any siphons? Can't tell from the picture. Either way beautiful piece. I'll tag along to see what more experienced reefers have to say.

from the way it's attached to the rock and it's texture, I'd guess sponge but I could be way off.

~Josh

[Unique Corals]

First quick glance makes one think of a sponge but closer look, it lacks those porous "pockets" often seen on sponges. Also, when we tried propagating a small piece w/ surgical scissors, it felt very "fleshy" and rubbery.

[Josh72836G]

Very strange indeed.... Maybe dyed leather? Or one-of-a-kind leather? I can't think of any other corals that look quite like that even ignoring the striking color. Either way I'd be happy to take a frag off your hands for um.... Research.... ;)

~Josh

[greenbean36191]

It definitely looks like a sponge to me. If you really want to check, take a small bit of it and dissolve it in some bleach. There should be some spicules or sclerites left behind that you can examine under a microscope. Sponge spicules tend to be smooth and slender or very definite star-like shapes. Soft coral spicules tend to be more jagged, a little stumpier, and sometimes just small, spikey blobs. A google image search for "sponge spicules" and "coral sclerites" should give you an idea of the comparison.

[daudelus]

You could wait a short period of time and see if it sloughs off a layer of 'skin' which would lean you toward leather.

[GreshamH]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15083722#post15083722 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by greenbean36191
It definitely looks like a sponge to me. If you really want to check, take a small bit of it and dissolve it in some bleach. There should be some spicules or sclerites left behind that you can examine under a microscope. Sponge spicules tend to be smooth and slender or very definite star-like shapes. Soft coral spicules tend to be more jagged, a little stumpier, and sometimes just small, spikey blobs. A google image search for "sponge spicules" and "coral sclerites" should give you an idea of the comparison.

I was thinking sponge as well. You can't always see "pockets" in sponges. Some are completely slick/waxy on the surface.