ID question...please help!

[kdc]

I got a couple of real interesting things on my live rock, but I haven't had any luck in identifying them.

I am trying to attach some pictures, and if anyone has any idea what it is I would love to hear from you! It is such a dark purple that it actually looks black. I only got the idea that it was purple from touching it since that is the color that come off on my fingers. It is now getting some white spots on it, :thinking: I got a picture of that too that I will try to attach. I knowthe pictures aren't too clear, but any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

 

[coachklm]

sponge?

 

[kdc]

I was thinking either a sponge or a mushroom. If I can't ID it, how am I supposed to know how to take care of it? I'm just hoping that the white stuff on it is something fatal!

 

[tizzo]

My guess is sponge also...
For the second pic... I have no clue as to the first pic.

 

[rykna]

There is a black sponge
Black Leather Sponge
Species Name: Sarcotragus muscarum (Schmidt, 1868)
Range: Mediterranean
Natural Environment: Inhabit rubble areas near algae growths
General Husbandry: Has a temperature range of 50 to 65°F (10 - 18°C). These cold water sponges are of little or no valve to aquarists. Discussed here for identification purpose only. For a photo of this sponge, visit the Baensch Marine Atlas Vol. 2, page 114
So there is a black sponge.....Found a pic

 

[kdc]

The 1st picture is a seperate piece of the same thing as the 2nd picture, it is just a little farther down on the same piece of rock.

 

[kdc]

Rykna,
Thank you! So what is going to happen to it? If it dies isn't it going to cause a huge spike? Will it survive? Do you know what that white stuff on it is?

 

[rykna]

You're most welcome.Most likely no. The page that I found the black sponge on said that it prefers cool water 50 degrees, and therefore is not sought after by reefers. There was not a picture of the black sponge so I am not 100% that is what it is.
As for the white spots, are they spreading???and if so I would remove the sponge asap.

 

[kdc]

So far the only white spots anywhere are on that one small piece that I took the picture of. I moved that rock to a seperate tank. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens...anyone have any idea how long I should wait? = )

 

[rykna]

Well...let's assume it's a sponge....a filter feeder and would require DT algae feedings.
Is the critter fiberous? like a sponge? or slimy to the touch or soft?
Looking at the first pic there are parts that look very similar to the round opening on the black sponge.