Any ideas on identity?

[Justin0329]

I have noticed this "thing" growing on a piece of my base rock. I found it probably 3 months ago. I haven't seen much change until today. It seems to have doubled in size in about a week. Right now it is still smaller than a nickel in diameter but it seems to have something else growing off of it. Is this a type of sponge maybe?

 

[Flreefer]

Yeah, most likely just a sponge.

 

[Justin0329]

How fast do sponges typically grow and what do they need for survival? What can I expect from it as far as beneficial?

 

[mfdrookie516]

For some reason, it looks like a mushroom to me. Does it change shape/size at night?

 

[Justin0329]

I haven't really noticed it change shape. Honestly, I don't think it is a shroom as I don't have nearly sufficient lighting for corals. However, I will see if I can get a closer look at it once lights are out.

 

[Justin0329]

Here are a couple other pictures of it and to give a better idea, it has a hole in the center that allows you to see half way into it kinda like an open mouth of an anemone. The cloudy area to the left is like a green "cotton" or thick spiders cobweb if that helps the description. I haven't tried to touch it to check for texture for the fear of harming something possibly beneficial. Sorry if the pictures aren't all that great... (cell phone)

 

[mfdrookie516]

Oh ok. Maybe it's just the way I'm looking at it. Looks very similar to this shroom I have -

 

[Justin0329]

Any other ideas?

 

[Justin0329]

No? Ok then. Just have to wait and see what develops.

 

[Newfiereefer]

Looks like a pineapple spine covered in algae , dose it have a opening on the top in the middle of it ?