Xenia Id

[user 2204]

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.

I'd love to see some pics if you have any. I really like the Xenias as they are a unique coral (just like all the other corals) *lol*.

As was told to me by Sally Jo at GARF, you will need to prune or frag the branches (arms) when they get bigger to keep the Xenia thriving. I was able to cut an arm off mine and it is growing very well in my 7 gallon prop tank.

Cheers,
Alex

 

[returnofsid]

To clear up some of the possible confusion, here's pictures of the 2 most common species of Xenia. Both kinds grow in my tank, though X. elongata grows much faster than X. umbellata.

Xenia umbellata, also known as Red Sea Xenia and Pom Pom Xenia and Pink Xenia and White Xenia. In most tanks, is a slower grower than Xenia elongata.

Xenia elongata. This includes the Brown Xenia, Silver tipped Xenia as well as others.

There are roughly 70 species of Xenia...lol. Keeping them all straight is a nightmare. Especially when almost all of them are also referred to as "pulsing" or "waving" xenia. Xenia umbellata and Xenia elongata are both called "Fast Pulsing Xenia," which doesn't help.

 

[user 2204]

Hi Sid,

That first one I've seen called Pink Creeping Xenia too. *lol* You're correct about the amount of Xenia species and from what I've read on GARF depending on conditions such as water, light etc... you might have a pink Xenia turn white or the such. *lol*

Cheers,
Alex

 

[user 2204]

BTW Sid, are those some of your Xenias?

 

[returnofsid]

Yep, they're out of my tank. Once I set up the 200, I want NO Xenia in it, so when I transfer everything, I'm going to try and chip all the rock with Xenia on it off!!!

 

[Pentagona]

I frag mine and trade it to Blue Sierra almost WEEKLY. I agree with you sid, once I move my 240 back home, bye bye xenia. It's pretty to look at and gets ooh's and ahhh's from people coming in the store, but it's way too invasive for my liking.

 

[Romewhip]

I'd love to see some pics if you have any. I really like the Xenias as they are a unique coral (just like all the other corals) *lol*.

As was told to me by Sally Jo at GARF, you will need to prune or frag the branches (arms) when they get bigger to keep the Xenia thriving. I was able to cut an arm off mine and it is growing very well in my 7 gallon prop tank.

Cheers,
Alex

I'll see if I can get a pic, it may be a couple of days as I can't find my camera. I got the xenia as a tiny frag piece, and while it's gotten bigger it hasn't gone all over the tank or appeared anywhere else. The color is exactly the same as yours, and there is even a side stalk coming off like on yours as well. It does pulse quite a bit. I can see where pruning branches would help, it gets really thick up there and there's lots of new branches trying to grow on top. I really like it, and it seems to like my softy only tank.

 

[MGDMIRAGE]

Kinda off topic a little but can xenia cross sand? If it's put on it's own little island will it be able to move somewhere else?

 

[returnofsid]

MGDMirage, not only can Xenia "walk," as they spread, they can drop polyps that can float around the tank and settle somewhere else, starting a whole new colony. Isolating them from live rock, by placing them in a sand area will not keep them from spreading throughout the tank...lol.

 

[roscoe]

Its a weed I tell ya weed!! :badgrin::badgrin::badgrin:

 

[returnofsid]

Roscoe's not far off on that quite accurate description. Not quite as bad as GSP, but can really become a nuisance. Though I do like it.

 

[user 2204]

Yes sir I have my Xenia drop sometimes if I don't get the fragged pieces out quickly enough. *lol* I have had them drop onto a hermit crab shell one time. Kind of cool to look at but that hermit was banished very quickly. *lol*

 

[MGDMIRAGE]

Lol nice, might be my fuge weed then i think it's beautiful though.

 

[user 2204]

They are very beautiful indeed.