Thinking of trying Tiger / Snake Skin Sponge

[Duce]

My LFS got couple of specimen in with really nice color ....greyish body with orange pattern.
I think they are more tunicate than an actual sponge.
I have tried to google some info on hardness and husbandry on them but unable to find any..
I am wondering can someone here share their experience with them...
Are they as difficult / impossible to keep like Goni, Non Photo Gorgonian, Carnation Coral etc?
They are truly an awesome looking animal...

 

[Curtswearing]

They are almost impossible to kept fed properly. Not just this species....all ascidians (tunicates) are.

 

[Pentagona]

However, Tunicates are much hardier than most sponges IMO. You are correct in assuming thet the so called tiger sponge is actually a tunicate colony that seems to be getting more popular in the trade. Some good evidence as to whether or not you can keep it is whether or not you have other tunicates in your system (i.e. as hitch hikers). Tunicates ARE filter feeding Bi-Valves. They appreciate high nutrient water quality (this does not mean high nitrates). IME there is a fine line between having enough nutrients in the water column to support them, and have so much that you begin to have niusence algae and/or nitrate problems.

I have several tunicates growing in my tank, but I feed more than most people would ever dream of. I'm just VERY diligent about weekly high percentage (20% or more) water changes and really aggressive skimming.

 

[pebbles]

Sorry, different part of the world...can someone give me the scientific name of the organism you're discussing?

 

[returnofsid]

I'm not sure, but I believe the scientific name would be something in the polycarpa sp. of sea squirts or colonial tunicates.