very small white sponges or Aiptasia

[beoks]

My tank has been up for a 2-3 months now and i have noticed tiny white what look like sponges growing on my rock, they are hollow and round but very very tiny, i tryed for the life of me to get a pic and will try again when i borrow the folks camers. they are growing everywhere but not very large yet. can anyone point me to a pic of a juvenile aiptasia or explain to me how to tell them apart. so far they look nothing like the pics i have seen.

thank you

 

[g0rFz]

i think i have the same thing as you, looks like cotton balls...aiptasia is very distinct looks exactly like an anemone but the size of a food pellet and clear. two totally different looking things,

 

[returnofsid]

Do your sponges look like Qtip tips? If so, they're totally harmless and actually beneficial as they filter feed. Do a Google Image search for aiptasia.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Probably tunicate sponges, they are filter feeders helping to clean the excess nutrients

 

[Sascha D]

I've had them as well. They wont last long after you get some critters in the tank. I've never had one larger than a dime.

 

[g0rFz]

mine are pretty big, maybe the size of a nickel and about 4 or 5. havent seen harm so i dont worry about em