Sponge Question.

DaveJ · 12-07-2001, 08:01 PM

I have a question about my newer sponge. I got it about 3 weeks ago. I am not sure of the exact species, but it is bright orange and has grown in a ping pong paddle shape. I see several holes that appear to be siphons or water flow valves on it. My question has to do with some discoloration that turned up. I currently had it placed so the it was horizontal, picture a ping pong paddle facing you with the thin facing out. The flat large section facing up. Like it would be laying on a table. The large flat areas faced up towards the MH lights and of course the other half underneath. One the portion facing upwards towards the light, I have some discoloration about the size of a quarter, a little larger actually that has turned a dark green/black. I felt it and it is still firm and nothing flaked off or anything. My question is could this be sunburn??? There is no discoloration on the bottom part, if anything the color is brighter than when I got it. A deeper orange. It is placed about 1/3 of the way up the rockwork. What is the proper placement for these? I feed DT's daily, about 2 cap fulls and have other sponges, 2 chicken liver and misc others growing happily. Even one that looks like a fuzzy ping pong ball, but brown, almost like a macaroon. Could the amount of light be producing this discoloration? What can I do to correct the problem??

Doug1 · 12-07-2001, 08:12 PM

Dave I am not certain but I think most sponges then to grow vertically, you might try reorienting the longitudinal axis with the light source

TroyF · 12-07-2001, 08:57 PM

I second what Doug mentioned. If the sponge is paddle shaped I would guess it used its surface area to maximize the water current. The intake holes (ostia) are generally to small to see and though tiny cillia help they still need current. Those big holes you see are excurrent holes and are called oscula. Just learned all that a couple of weeks ago and was dying for a chance to use it. Hope I got it right.

PS: Just a guess, the shape of your sponge leads me to believe that it probably can handle lower water current.