Candycane Coral - white spot?

[dibenni]

I purchased a candycane coral about 3 weeks ago. It has a large white spot which is swollen, not just a change in coloring (the best way to describe it is that it looks like mold growing on it), on one of the stems. I did not notice this spot when it was purchased - the first time I saw it was about 2 weeks ago and it has gotten larger since. The coral seems fine, no sign of illness (besides the spot).

I could not post a picture because the files are too big. I will send them to myself at work where I can compress them and try to post them later.

Thoughts of what this may be?

[zhenya]

Is this growth on the polyp itself or on the branch of the skeletal base? Also, does it look spongy?

[dibenni]

It is on the branch and yes, it does look spongy.

[zhenya]

It is on the branch and yes, it does look spongy.

If it looks spongy then it is most likely is a sponge... Although sponges usually don;t present much problem when growing on a rock somewhere, I would watch it and see if you need to intervene and scrape it off as it advances further. If it comes in contact with the polyp itself it may cause problems, some sponges compete for space quite well using chemical substances that they release in the water column and directly on the tissue of the oponents.
If it stays down the branch and not progress towards the polyp then I would just leave it alone and see how things go.

[dibenni]

Gene,

Thanks for your input! I will check it out more closely tonight to see if I do indeed think that it is a sponge. If so, I will just monitor it as you suggest. Should it approach the polyp, what is the best way to remove it?

Thanks,

Nick

[zhenya]

Nick,

If coral is not firmly attached to anything then it is easy to remove into a bowl of tank water and simply scrub it with a toothbrush. Rinse it well in some clean tank water again and replace it where it was before.

[dibenni]

Gene,

Thank you for your guidance!

Nick