Xenia Id

[user 2204]

So the story goes like this...

I purchased this Xenia from Blue Sierra and it was marked as a Blue Xenia. I have Red Sea Xenia that I normally frag and know how they grow and pulse. I also know of a few other types of Xenia such as Pom Pom and Silver tip and the Brown non pulsings, but have been unable to find a correct Xenia id for this one.

A little information as to this breed thus far, It does pulase and it probably pulses as much as the Red Sea Xenias that I have. It is a very slow growing Xenia and does not lay down and propagate. It grows similar to a tree with a large trunk and then as it grows it has branchs come from the main trunk area.

First picture is of a frag in my smaller grow out tank and the second picture is of the mother in my larger tank. Lighting on both tanks is pc lighting (coralife bulbs).

Cheers,
Alex

Xenia in Background is Unknown

 

[returnofsid]

Looks like Xenia elongota to me.

 

[ajnweb]

Looks like Xenia elongota to me.

Do you just make this stuff up?

In the second picture it definately looks like it has a blueish tint compared to the colonies growing on the wall, if that is what you are asking???

 

[user 2204]

Looks like Xenia elongota to me.

Might be, but all the Xenia Elongata I've ever seen is the brownish to yellow stuff and when I look at the article by Calfo
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-02/ac/feature/index.php
the picture of Xenia elongata he shows definatly looks different than mine.
Mine definatly has a bluish/redish/pinkish hue to it.

Cheers,
Alex

 

[user 2204]

Do you just make this stuff up?

In the second picture it definately looks like it has a blueish tint compared to the colonies growing on the wall, if that is what you are asking???

Yes it does have a blue color to it. But it also has a slight redish pink to it too.

I wish I had my halides now because I would definatly be able to tell then. But when I did add a 32 watt 50/50 bulb with my 130 watts of pc lights on my 20 gallon they definatly looked a bit more blue.

Cheers,
Alex

 

[returnofsid]

I see 2 different Xenia, one looks like Pom Pom, all white and doesn't grow very tall. The other looks like Xenia elongota...lol...I'm not making that up. It just looks like it hasn't settled in to your tank yet. It will probably stretch out more soon. The Blue Xenia I've seen is real blue, but I've only seen it in one tank and in lots of pictures.

 

[user 2204]

Just an FYI on my lighting,

20H is 130W pc consisting of 65W 10K and 65W Anctic 03
7 MB is 56W pc consisting of 28W 10K and 28W Anctic 03

All bulbs running are made by Coralife.

Cheers,
Alex

 

[user 2204]

The Xenia that you say look like the Pom Pom is the Red Sea Xenia and grows rapidly in my tank. All those stalks are about 2-3 inches tall. I have seen the Pom Poms before and I can say those are definatly not Pom Poms, they just turn a very light pink color because they are so close to the lights on the skimmer box.

The Unknown Xenia has been in my tank for at least 6 months in the 20H and the frag has been growing for about 2 months now. Just put it into the 7 gallon tank this last weekend.

Cheers,
Alex

 

[user 2204]

Here is a little better picture close up.

Cheers,
Alex

 

[Al G.]

That ain't elongata for sure and it isn't like the usual pink and white pom poms.

I once bought something like this from Blue Sierra, though not sold to me as blue xenia. It was a pinkish color. The trunk is thick and grows taller than the usual pom poms, and doesn't spread like pom poms. It branches out from the lower part of the trunk, exactly like a tree.

Elongata and the pom poms spread from the base, like the one in the Calfo picture.

Mine managed to grow 3 thick branches before dying in a mini tank crash.

I saw some at Blue Sierra about a month or so ago. It was in the aquacultured coral section for $39.99. At first glance, it looks like the regular pink pom poms, but it has a much taller and thicker trunk. It looks like mini tree.

 

[returnofsid]

Ohhh I misunderstood how long it'd been in tank. The second pic does look more blue...and I still think the other Xenia is Pom Pom. I read some places that interchange Pom Pom and Red Sea as the same Xenia, but I don't think that's correct. I believe Red Sea is the brown, longer xenia and the white/pink, shorter xenia is Pom Pom. According to Anthony Calfo's Coral Prop book anyway.

Your new pic doesn't look like either...lol.

 

[user 2204]

*lol*

There are way to many types of Xeniidae corals out there. )

 

[user 2204]

I have also thought that the Unknown Xenia might be that of the Bali Xenia. But still unsure of that even.

*lol* This thing has been a real pain in the butt to id since day one. )

 

[tat2z_21]

I don't know what it is but it needs trimmed, and the trimmings need to go to my tank. LOL

 

[user 2204]

I don't know what it is but it needs trimmed, and the trimmings need to go to my tank. LOL

*lol* How did you know that I have a frag ready for a new home. Just waiting for a proper id before selling the frag here on RF. *lol*

Cheers,
Alex

 

[user 2204]

So I finally remembered to email Sally Jo at GARF to see if they could help id my Xenia. From the photos on there site they hit it right one the mark.

Sally Jo had this to say, "She sure is a beauty, and from your pictures I am almost certain she is a Fiji Pom Pom, she should pulse heavy and grow a real healthy stock. The more you propagate this animal the more it will grow, it is so vitally important to propagate this animal for they will crash if left all on there own."

So there you have it, and from what I was reading on the GARF website this Xenia coral is somewhat of a rare species as it does not ship well (from what I read).

Photo is from their website.

 

[roscoe]

Xenia coral is somewhat of a rare species as it does not ship well

Not in this part of the country. I know people that throw these things away on bi-weekly to monthly basis.

 

[user 2204]

Including the Fiji Pom Pom that is a very s-l-o-w growing one? Not to argue but I have never seen this type in the trade. I've only seen the Red Sea / Creeping Xenia, Brown Xenia, and maybe some of the silver tip Xenias.

This Xenia grows a fairly large stalk and only has small off shots from there. I have been able get one frag off this in almost a years time. Also in a years time it has only grown a few inches, unlike my Red Sea Xenias that grow like a weed.

Again to each his/her own and I like my Xenias. *lol* Just as much as I like my lps and sps corals.

Cheers,
Alex

 

[roscoe]

Alright you got me:lol::lol:. I'm not sure on the Fiji Pom Pom. I have seen some around the area that looks like the pic you posted.

 

[Romewhip]

I have exactly the same xenia, that I got from my LFS. It's been in the tank for a couple of months, and hasn't done too much, other than growing new fronds. I think it's going to split, but it's starting from the top of the trunk section. I have exactly the same lighting, and it's in a 20g tank.