CanadianReefKeeper Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 Hello everyone! A few weeks ago I noticed a few white patches on one of my pieces of live rock. After some googling I decided that they were probably sponges. Today I checked in on them and noticed they’ve turned black!? Are they indeed sponges? Is it normal for them to change colour like this? Everything in the tank is doing well, so I’m not too worried, but should I be? Thanks!! Quote Link to comment
jservedio Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 How old is your tank? They are either sponges or tunicates (they can look incredibly similar) and they aren't photosynthetic (mostly). Sponges and tunicates come in all kinds of colors so it's possible they are fine, but it's likely they are dying if you have a newer tank. Don't be worried about it though - sponges and tunicates have a hard time surviving in new tanks because they are filter feeders and there usually just isn't enough to eat. They will come and go and as your tank matures, they will come and then not go! 1 Quote Link to comment
CanadianReefKeeper Posted April 11, 2019 Author Share Posted April 11, 2019 2 hours ago, jservedio said: How old is your tank? They are either sponges or tunicates (they can look incredibly similar) and they aren't photosynthetic (mostly). Sponges and tunicates come in all kinds of colors so it's possible they are fine, but it's likely they are dying if you have a newer tank. Don't be worried about it though - sponges and tunicates have a hard time surviving in new tanks because they are filter feeders and there usually just isn't enough to eat. They will come and go and as your tank matures, they will come and then not go! Oh okay, I’ve never come across tunicates before, very interesting. It’s a brand new tank! Finished cycling about 3 weeks ago. Quote Link to comment
WV Reefer Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 8 minutes ago, CanadianReefKeeper said: Oh okay, I’ve never come across tunicates before, very interesting. It’s a brand new tank! Finished cycling about 3 weeks ago. The way you tell the difference is tunicates can “react” sponges do not. 1 Quote Link to comment
CanadianReefKeeper Posted April 11, 2019 Author Share Posted April 11, 2019 11 minutes ago, WV Reefer said: The way you tell the difference is tunicates can “react” sponges do not. Huh very interesting! You’ve peaked my interest so I went and poked it, haha. No reactions, but it does have a nice spongey texture! 2 Quote Link to comment
WV Reefer Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 3 minutes ago, CanadianReefKeeper said: Huh very interesting! You’ve peaked my interest so I went and poked it, haha. No reactions, but it does have a nice spongey texture! I have tons of sponges that just showed up one day.......Pink, yellow, blue, white. They are very cool and add texture to the environment. 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment
CanadianReefKeeper Posted April 11, 2019 Author Share Posted April 11, 2019 Just now, WV Reefer said: I have tons of sponges that just showed up one day.......Pink, yellow, blue, white. They are very cool and add texture to the environment. 🙂 That’s so awesome! I love how many neat little things show up in reefs! I hope these guys make it as they are quite neat looking. If not hopefully I’ll be surprised by some visitors down the line! 1 Quote Link to comment
jservedio Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 Just now, CanadianReefKeeper said: That’s so awesome! I love how many neat little things show up in reefs! I hope these guys make it as they are quite neat looking. If not hopefully I’ll be surprised by some visitors down the line! They will definitely just show up one day and stay permanently - here's a few in my tank that are close enough to the glass to get a good picture 2 1 Quote Link to comment
CanadianReefKeeper Posted April 11, 2019 Author Share Posted April 11, 2019 Just now, jservedio said: They will definitely just show up one day and stay permanently - here's a few in my tank that are close enough to the glass to get a good picture Oh wow those ones are beautiful! 1 Quote Link to comment
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