Red Sponge Dwindling...

[phattreefrog]

I recently acquired a new reef system (which has been incorporated into my current systems) with a red sponge coral and it is beginning to lose color on its tips. I am not familiar with sponge corals, so I am wondering where in the reef this should be placed. I currently have it placed near the bottom of my 180 gallon reef standing upright against some rock in low to medium flow. I also saw a hermit crab on it tonight, but he was only picking at the deteriorated parts, so I don't think he is culprit for the decline.

Any help/thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Tim.

 

[Anonymous]

They usually require supplemental feeding to thrive as most systems don't produce enough food to support them. Did you keep the sponge totally submerged during the change? Exposure to air is problematic for most sponges, and can cause the melting effect you are seeing.

Here's some links to articles you may find helpful:

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/sponges.htm

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/ ... invert.htm