What the heck is this???? (Pix)

[carfac]

Hey all:

Been a while since I have been here- take that to mean things are going very well- thanks for your help so far.

OK, I noticed this growth- I do not know what it is. It is growing on the flat underside of a Tongan shelf rock, out of the light. It has doubled in size since I first noticed it 2 weeks ago. It is probably 1/2 inch wide now. Does not move. Reminds me of a spider coccoon... sort of fuzzy...

http://www.animatedword.com/mystery.jpg

Any ideers?

TIA!

Dave

[sir_dudeguy]

i cant really tell by the pic...but i think its either a sponge, or a filter feeder that i cant remember the name of...but the filter feeder that i cant think of the name of kinda looks like a fuzzy pinaple...does this look like that? to me it kinda does. If it is that, then i dont think theres anything to worry about, as they're just filter feeders. I've got a few in my tank and they dont do anything, but i've heard that if they grow on a coral it can irritate it, but i've got one on the base of a xenia and nothings happening so far.

if its a sponge, i dont think they're harmfull, but i think they can cause nitrate problems if they die...i could be wrong about that one tho.

[philagothos]

Sounds/looks like some type of sponge. A clearer picture would be helpful, but that's my best guess.

edit: Looks like sir_dudeguy and I had the same idea at the same time.

[gusman4]

looks like a Scypha sponge.

check out melev's reef site. link should be at the top of this page.

223 identified things or something like that.

[sir_dudeguy]

philagothos

yep lol. within seconds :)

is that scypha sponge that one that looks like a little pinaple?

[sir_dudeguy]

yep, i just looked on melevs...great reference site.

second to last row, on the right side i think...thats what i see in your pic anyways

ah, i suck at putting links...i'll try again.

melevs (http://melevsreef.com/id/sponge.html)

[gusman4]

i think so it look very simular to his picture on melve's site.

[druce]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7967770#post7967770 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gusman4
looks like a Scypha sponge.

check out melev's reef site. link should be at the top of this page.

223 identified things or something like that.

That's what I was thinking - had a ton in my fuge till I just cleaned it out

they aren't bad at all

:rollface:

[UrbanSage]

You guys are correct :) I have hundreds in my fuge.

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h2/UrbanSage/Aquarium/Scyphasponge.jpg

[carfac]

Yep- that is it! OK, I guess I can slepp well tonight!

Dave

[carfac]

Here is a clearer picture:

http://www.animatedword.com/aquarium3.jpg

Looks like a pineapple to me!

Look to the left- those "branchy" things- just growing off the rocks. Never noticed those until this picture. What are those?

Dave

[druce]

i have those too, i think they are a form of sponge

unless you see it grow 10x bigger and grab fish I think you are safe :D

[carfac]

>>> and grab fish I think you are safe

:)!

[Dert42]

i have them. they spread like crazy under all the over hangs... i don't like them.