Just noticed this today, does not look very sanitary. Please advise. To the touch, it is very soft, almost plushy, and smooth but still has texture to it. Kind of like a soft coral.
That’s all I got.
I dunno, maybe it is some sort of soft coral growing?
somebody get overly excited while checking out your tank? 
verdict_in
[quote=“aonemarine, post:3, topic:4813”]
somebody get overly excited while checking out your tank? verdict_in[/quote]
That’s all that I can gather, lol.
It looks like it has multiple holes that I can see, grows in a drippy slime formation, even has some holes that look like they were developed by a bursting bubble of the stuff.
Just went to look at it for the millionth time to find that the significant other flipped it over, there was a mushroom polyp on the other side (purple disk type with green highlights, it’s a softie). Sooo it has been growing in the dark since we’ve had this rock.
Jelly fungus???
I think it’s a type of sponge.
[quote=“reefman66, post:6, topic:4813”]
I think it’s a type of sponge.[/quote]
It feels exactly like a sponge, it gives but feels kind of leathery. But do sponges grow on the underside of things, with very little to zero light?
I agree with reefman66,looks like some kind of sponge
[quote=“StoneReefer_210, post:7, topic:4813”]
[quote=“reefman66, post:6, topic:4813”]
I think it’s a type of sponge.[/quote]
It feels exactly like a sponge, it gives but feels kind of leathery. But do sponges grow on the underside of things, with very little to zero light?[/quote]
Yes, they do and I do have them in my tank as well. All under side of my rocks and on the side.
Good to know, I love me some free coral! :
:
You found a friend in your tank.
I agree it’s definitily looks like a sponge. I have a few of them too one that looks like that. The holes are how the sponge feeds they are filter feeders and don’t require any light from what i understand. They are usally found on the under side of rocks and in your sump. I belive they are a sign of good water quaility! Be careful if you are ever moving them around your tank not to expose them to air they usally die if that is the case. Have fun watching it grow!
[quote=“reefman66, post:6, topic:4813”]
I think it’s a type of sponge.[/quote]
My thoughts as well
Note, they grow very well in the shade, better then they do in the light. HOWEVER it is very possible a significant amount of it will die off(like 99%) if they are lifted into the air. They often won’t grow on the top couple of rocks in your tank if your water changes typically expose these rocks to the air. Part of curing rock when we first purchase it from the islands is allowing these organisms, which die when left in the air, to fully die off and decompose.
So the important note is if you like these cool free hitchikers you may want to leave them in the water.
Side note sponges and many other animals in the tank love phytoplankton just only add it in VERY small amounts as it is easy to add too much and significantly increase your phosphates and Nitrates by over feeding/dosing.