Weird Growth on Hardscape. What is it?

[PaigeIs]

I noticed this "stuff" growing on a piece of of spiderwood the other day.  I have been battling a little bit of BBA on a couple of plants, but this looks different.  It's greyish/whiteish/greenish and appears in tufts or globs.  The shrimp are a little bit interested in it, but I haven't seen any of the fish (including otos and snails) give it any attention.   It's growing in a shady spot.  

Does anyone have any idea what it might be?

20H - planted tank with CO2. 

• KH  - 12
• PH  - 8
• Nitrate  - 20
• Nitrite - 0
• Ammonia - 0
• Temp - 74

Edited January 3, 2023 by PaigeIs

[Fish Folk]

Looks like fungus to me. Sometimes an oddball sort of algae can look like that at first. But every time I see that, I think of fungus. You can probably remove it with an oral syringe + airline added to the tip.

[PaigeIs]

On 1/2/2023 at 10:02 PM, Fish Folk said:

Looks like fungus to me. Sometimes an oddball sort of algae can look like that at first. But every time I see that, I think of fungus. You can probably remove it with an oral syringe + airline added to the tip.

Thanks!  I'll give that a try.  

[Odd Duck]

That could also be freshwater sponge.  I need to see crisper focus on the squishy bit to say.  If you can see tiny holes in it, then it’s almost certainly freshwater sponge.

[PaigeIs]

On 1/3/2023 at 12:14 AM, Odd Duck said:

That could also be freshwater sponge.  I need to see crisper focus on the squishy bit to say.  If you can see tiny holes in it, then it’s almost certainly freshwater sponge.

I wish!  It's not "structured" like a sponge. Much more slimy. This morning I picked it off, spot treated the area with some Easy Carbon and did a water change.  

On the positive side, I now know there is such a thing as freshwater sponge.  

Edited January 3, 2023 by PaigeIs

[FLFishChik]

On 1/3/2023 at 3:14 AM, Odd Duck said:

That could also be freshwater sponge.  I need to see crisper focus on the squishy bit to say.  If you can see tiny holes in it, then it’s almost certainly freshwater sponge.

Wait.. there are freshwater SPONGES??!!😲

[Odd Duck]

On 1/3/2023 at 7:03 PM, FLFishChik said:

Wait.. there are freshwater SPONGES??!!😲

Yep, I’ve seen pictures.  I’ve never had the good fortune to have one develop in a tank.