Do you keep a softy and LPS dominant reef aquarium, but wish you could grow hard corals? Are you looking for something for your sea horse tank that is safe? Are you a big collector of montipora caps and wish an amazing blue one existed?
Let me introduce you to the blue layer cake sponge or Collospongia which I have maintained in my reef for several years. This sponge has a round, plating growth formation that is frequently mistaken for Montipora capricornis when friends see it in my reef aquarium. The great thing about Collospongia is it's non-toxic (don't eat it), doesn't sting, is totally photosynthetic, and easy to keep.
This sponge thrives in moderately strong light and med/high flow. It will create layers much better in an area with good flow, whereas in low flow it will have a tendency to grow more flat and encrusting. These sponges eat bacteria as well as photosynthesize so they will do better in reefs with some nutrients.
This sponge is different from most other sponges in that you can expose it to air for short periods of time without damage and cut pieces off to frag it. I have nearly killed it with too high of alkalinity in the past, but sponges have amazing regeneration capabilities and my colony grew back. If like me, you seek out the beautiful and unusual, this sponge will definitely be rewarding to grow in your own reef.
Thanks for reading and if you've made it this far be sure to check out my other blog posts and keep a look out for new ones. Next week I'll be writing about my friend's awesome forest fire bounce mushrooms.
Buy yours here: https://www.reefgardener.com/products/ultra-blue-layercake-sponge-2?_pos=2&_psq=sponge&_ss=e&_v=1.0