Of all the different species of animals kept in reef aquariums, it’s rare to see one that has much of population of sponges. We know that some are out there, including the rock-smothering “Chickens Foot” sponge as well as the beautiful and easy-to-keep Blue Photo Sponge.
Sure, there are reasons for the absence of the Porifera sp. from the common reef tank, such as drab coloration and also some being hard to keep in all but the most nutrient-rich tanks. That doesn’t mean that these animals are simple, and this awesome video from Jonathan Bird’s Blue World explains sponges from a historical standpoint and [more notably] uses a special neon dye to display the respiration of water through its’ pores.
Have you ever kept sponges in your tank for an extended period of time? If so, did it come in as a hitchhiker on your live rock? What tips can you give for keeping them alive in captivity?
