ID Help! Unusual...

[girlanimated]

Hello,

This weird patch of thing suddenly appeared on my LR one day and started spreading.

Now there are a few scattered around the tank... But this is the largest one (part of firecoral as size ref.)

So... What in the world is it???? :blink:

[vt_snowman87]

looks like some kind of invasive tunicate..

[Terryz_]

It is a species of Botrylloides chain tunicate also known as tiger sponges... Difficult to keep alive and will die off after some time without proper feeding...

[yikai]

if they grow and spread to such extent, it means that your tank probably have sufficient food for it.

but as soon as the feeding stops, a decline in growth will be observed.

i also have them in my tank but different colour.

[peacemaker]

Well... consolation is, at least it looks attractive. Too much of it, however, gives a skin crawling sensation, like some alien infestation.

[girlanimated]

looks like some kind of invasive tunicate..

That's what I suspected...

It is a species of Botrylloides chain tunicate also known as tiger sponges... Difficult to keep alive and will die off after some time without proper feeding...

Wow. Okay thanks!

if they grow and spread to such extent, it means that your tank probably have sufficient food for it.

but as soon as the feeding stops, a decline in growth will be observed.

i also have them in my tank but different colour.

Thanks shifu! How do I keep it alive? There are like.. 2 or 3 small ones around the tank besides this one. Does that mean the tank is healthy?

Well... consolation is, at least it looks attractive. Too much of it, however, gives a skin crawling sensation, like some alien infestation.

Attack from MARS!

[Nitro]

Well if such delicate sponges or tunicates can populate in your tank, I can surely said the perimeters of the tank is good to certain extent.

[yikai]

actually......

the parameters needed to grow such things need not be too good. contrary to that actually.

they grow very well in "dirty" water with dissolved nutrients. in normal tanks they are usually fed with phyto and other planktonic mumbo jumbo that i don't know the names of.

[bugattilambo]

It looks kinda Nice!

[girlanimated]

Well if such delicate sponges or tunicates can populate in your tank, I can surely said the perimeters of the tank is good to certain extent.

It looks kinda Nice!

Thanks for the comments!

actually......

the parameters needed to grow such things need not be too good. contrary to that actually.

they grow very well in "dirty" water with dissolved nutrients. in normal tanks they are usually fed with phyto and other planktonic mumbo jumbo that i don't know the names of.

I dose my tank with phytoplankton every few days and use Selcon to supplement the corals and fishfood once a week. Could that be why it's growing so much? So far, no NH3 in tank, nitritesnitrates/phosphates all in low levels.

[yikai]

dosing phyto everyday will encourage growth of them.

[girlanimated]

dosing phyto everyday will encourage growth of them.

Ah. Thanks!

[notyourcheese]

Well... consolation is, at least it looks attractive. Too much of it, however, gives a skin crawling sensation, like some alien infestation.

it looks very nice! i say leave it ;p