Help identify possible pest?

[seadog78]

Hi All! Fairly new to reef aquariums (about a year in) and probably have made a lot of mistakes along the way. For the most part I can identify any odd growths or pests through the forums but I can’t find this one anywhere. It’s growing on my GSP and Dragonsole (sp?). Looks like white sticks or branches. Doesn’t seem to affect the corals, they are opening fully and growing. Just want to know if this is something I need to address.

 

[ghostmantank]

Does it close up if you touch it? Kind of looks like it could be aiptasia but not sure. Here is a picture of aiptasia if that is it then it needs to be handled fast before it spreads. The hitchhike in on corals and then starve them out and spread like crazy.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Just looks like sponges to me, if so they are pretty much harmless but may irritate corals.

 

[seadog78]

Does it close up if you touch it? Kind of looks like it could be aiptasia but not sure. Here is a picture of aiptasia if that is it then it needs to be handled fast before it spreads. The hitchhike in on corals and then starve them out and spread like crazy.

View attachment 2491995

No doesn’t close up. Looks more like branchy like a stag horn if that makes sense. We’ve had a aiptasia before and quickly were able to eradicate before it spread.

 

[seadog78]

Just looks like sponges to me, if so they are pretty much harmless but may irritate corals.

Thanks! I’ll keep an eye on it. One thing I noticed today that doesn’t really show in the pic is that it seems to be growing a solid mat on the coral base.

 

[Gtinnel]

Looks like sponge to me as well