What is this? ID help please

[Unique]

Sponge? Doesn't really mind being exposed to air. Feels like a leather coral to the touch. Growth shape similar to a pagoda. Growth rate extremely slow. Any ideas?

 

[wishntoboutside]

does it hmm grow out like a monti cap.. it looks like what one calls plate sponge. kinda rubbery. very hardy too. let me know i can dig for some pictures to compare.

 

[Unique]

Rubbery is exactly how I would describe it! So it is a sponge? It encrusts but overall "colony" is shaped like a pagoda cup or a monti cap. It is pretty hardy but in the year or so we've had it, we haven't seen it grow that much if any. First quick glance makes one think of a sponge but closer look, it lacks those porous "pockets" often seen on sponges. Also, when we tried propagating a small piece w/ surgical scissors, it felt very "fleshy" and rubbery.

 

[Chad]

It looks like a sponge to me.

 

[siropa]

looks like a sponge to me as well.

 

[cmjreef]

Gotta be a sponge.

 

[NewMelee]

Not sure but it does look cool

 

[fishnreef]

Be careful with the black sponge. It can cover the bottom of rocks and creep up towards corals...at the expense of corals. I've seen it grow and claim a corner of a tank. The issue is that removal needs to be done carefully so this doesn't spread all over through inadvertant fragging or (and I would just be playing safe) that the sponge does not release toxins when cut. It is also more hardy and dense than the regular sponges.

 

[dolfandds]

looks like sponge

 

[ARB_REEFER]

+1 ...

 

[Hypertek99]

looks like a sponge to me too. Neat looking too!