What's on my pipe organ coral?

[royalturtle]

I have had this coral frag for about two months now. It has been doing well, growing new polyps, open all day, etc. Yesterday I noticed some string white things among the polyps, but couldn't get a good look since they were open. This morning the coral has not opened yet, but you can see quite a bit of this straggly white stuff, as well as a now empty tube. What is this, and what can I do about it? Thank you!

 

[royalturtle]

Another picture - I swear whatever this is is growing in front of me. You can see here some white polyp-like protrusions; don't know if you can see this, but the protrusions each have one small bundle of thin, short, hair-like tentacles.

 

[bribo12]

It's a sponge

 

[royalturtle]

Thanks for the response! That makes sense, is there anything I can do about it? It's taking over the coral :/.

 

[bribo12]

Take the coral out and scrub the sponge off gently with a toothbrush. It should come right off. Just make sure to do it gently so it doesn't harm the coral

 

[royalturtle]

Wonderful, will do. Thanks for the help!

 

[bribo12]

No problem