White Sponge on Coral harmless?

[cerulean_blue]

From research and pictures I've looked up around the forum, I think I have a white sponge growing on my soft polyps.

Can you guys confirm this is a sponge?
Is it harmless?
The picture I took was right when the lights came on which is why you do not see any of the polyps. When the lights are on, the polyp looks completely fine.
But would this sponge affect the coral in any negative way?

And this picture is a couple weeks old, I've killed the Aiptasias you see in the picture since then.

 

[kdpuffer]

If the polyps open it is a sign that they are not bothered by the sponge so I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[crister13]

I agree. If they're open it's fine.

 

[54seaweed]

I have that same white sponge on my zoas
cant stand it it smothers them
I keep blowing it out with turkey baster seems its getting a little better but its a big P.I.T.A. trying not to hurt the zoa with the hard blast and that stuff just looks nasty

 

[kdpuffer]

If its an issues try a quick peroxide dip. Do some reading online about it first.