Bright orange branches growing from live rock.

[Greasy Joe Bick]

Hi guys, been a while since I have posted, but i'll be updating my showcase thread a little later.

Need help identifying these bright orange branches. They have been growing really slowly over the last month.

Anything cool or is it harmful? I tried to google search, but came up empty.

 

[d2mini]

Cool, looks like some kind of sponge. As far as I know that's a good guy. Lots of neat macro algae you have there.

 

[little_fish]

That actually looks a bit more like another type of macro i had growing in my tank. As long as its slow growing i wouldnt worry about it.

 

[Smitty]

Looks like a red tree sponge...

 

[little_fish]

I dunno, its growing up into the lights which is kinda odd for a sponge. Its also looks a bit translucent which would be odd for a sponge. Also, i cant see an orange tree sponge randomly growing in someone tank, those are one of those hitchhiker you have to pay for.

This is what i think it is:
ReefCleaners.org | Clean Up Crews and Macro Algae - Red Gracilaria

 

[SaltwaterNoob17]

I agree with Little_Fish. It looks like a macro to me too, but it's hard to tell.

Looks almost like halymenia to me:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/ronyeo/RiNBctOsTUI/AAAAAAAAAqc/OrHKNSkAAIA/05algae.jpg

 

[little_fish]

I think you might be right, that looks a little closer.

 

[Greasy Joe Bick]

i'll get better pics with my rebel in a sec...first one was with my phone...I know that kind of macro you guys are referring to and it doesn't seem like that. I had some and it just wouldn't stay alive in my tank. it all died off.

It looks thicker than the red macro pictured above. not as stringy, has more beef at the base.

 

[Greasy Joe Bick]

Here's what i mean for more beef at the base.

 

[SaltwaterNoob17]

My best guess is still halymenia...

 

[little_fish]

+1 SaltwaterNoob

 

[Greasy Joe Bick]

My best guess is still halymenia...

Ahh i see, my name should be Noob. lol, This is the first time I've seen the big, flat, leafy, halymenia. I thought it only grew like the red stringy stuff in the first example pic. Thanks.

Comparing red tree sponge pics and leafy halymenia, i agree, It looks like halymenia at this point. Either way, they are both safe and that was my main concern. Thanks everyone.

If it starts favoring red tree sponge when it matures, i'll update.

 

[SaltwaterNoob17]

No problem! :) I'm knew at macros, so I completely understand the confusion. There's so many species!!