What is this?

[Jetmech2000]

It's a white fuzzy thing on my LR. It hasn't spread it has grown a little in two weeks. Keep it or trash it?

 

[Zer0]

Can you get a closer picture of it? Kinda looks like a sponge, but it's hard to tell from the pictures.

 

[Greenmaster]

If it is a sponge they are a sign of a healthy system.

 

[Jetmech2000]

See if this helps. Thanks

 

[carey]

Don't sponges die if you take em out of water?
I'm kinda scared to move mine around

 

[Greenmaster]

Don't sponges die if you take em out of water?
I'm kinda scared to move mine around

Yes they often do.

 

[Jetmech2000]

Well, anyone have an idea?

 

[iDream]

i think its a sponge as well

 

[Jetmech2000]

After I took it out of the water to take pic, it did start to shrink a little.

 

[Greenmaster]

Ya it "was" a sponge... probably gonna die or mostly die now.

 

[Zer0]

It is most likely going to die like stated above. The problem with sponges is, if they are taken out of water, air bubbles get trapped within their body matrix and cause them to die off. That's why sponges are generally hard to care for in the first place.

Don't worry though, there is a chance that this sponge, including others, could start to grow once again. It really all depends on the conditions of your water chemistry. Sponges tend to come and go as nutrients present themselves in your tank. Just keep an eye out..

 

[Innovator]

Shallow water sponges are exposed to various conditions so they have adaptations (mucus) that protect them from elements, even air exposure. Deeper waters yield sponges with less adaptations. Of course, the general rule is not to expose them because we don't know exactly where they are collected from.