Coral - fungus???

[MikeS]

I have a new Pipe Organ Coral, had it about a month. It seems to be very healthy, but I've noticed a couple of white, fuzzy balls on one end. Looks like fungus to me. I've checked all my books and no reference to fungus and coral. What do you think is it? If it's a problem how do I remedy it

[Doug1]

Are they near the polyps or on the shaded part of the corals skeletal structure?

[sculpin]

Pipe organs, at least those that survive, all have commensal sponges growing on them. Supposedly, if the sponge dies, the coral does too, so I wouldn't mess with it.

[MikeS]

Doug - it's around several immature polyps.

[Doug1]

Ok that lessens the chances its random sponge that often apear in reef tanks. However see sculpins reply, that would make sense, tho I have had no real hands on with T musica. Borneman mentions the sponges in his new Aquarium Coral book(pg122), there is also a phot there that shows what appears to be a yellow sponge among the polyps. Unfortunatly not much info on the sponges given