Xenia Coral| Pulsing Xenia Corals

Aquacultured Saltwater Aquarium Pulsing Xenia Coral

Xenia is a genus of photosynthetic soft marine coral in the family Xeniidae. They resemble a mushroom, with "arms" coming out from the top that end in many-fingered "hands". It is unique among corals because of its ability to use its "hands" to "pulse" or push water away from the colony in a constant, grabbing motion. Since they tend to grow in the direction of the water flow that they are near, you can get them to grow where you want in the reef tank. Getting them to grow up the back wall of the aquarium makes for an interesting display.

Most species from the Xenia genus have unbranched stalks that are short, thick and smooth, from which the polyps arise. They can be cream, white brown, ivory and light green. The color is uniform with just a little contrast between the stalks and polyps. The polyps can contract considerably but do not retract inside the coral. Not all Xenia pulsate, but the species that do will generally pulse about 8 times per minute, yet there can be quite a variation in the strength and speed of the pulsing action.

There is no proven reason why Xenia corals pulse. Many experts and aquarists attribute a variety of reasons for the pulsing phenomena. One thought is that they are pulsating to help with respiration and gas exchange. Water chemistry also plays a role in their pulsing, along with lighting and current, just what combination is hard to tell. They are sensitive to falling or low pH and will stop pulsing when the pH is below 8.3. Adding small amounts of carbon will take some organics out of the water. Some aquarists have found this to induce the polyps to pulse, as if the coral is trying to try pull more nutrients from the water. Supplements of iodine are also suggested by some, but with caution as Lugol's has been found to be detrimental to some Xenia colonies. If your Pulse Coral is pulsing, then keep doing what your doing!

Xenia corals can be moderately easy to care for, depending on proper handling procedures. If you need to handle them, do so very briefly and with gloved fingers. When handled they stress and produce lots of mucous, which in turn can attract bacteria, leading to death. Therefore handle with care and refrain from moving when ever possible. Wild harvested Xenia corals can be very difficult to acclimate to new surrounds in general, while cultured Xenia colonies are much hardier than wild harvested species and will bounce back much easier after shipping. For that reason Aquarium Creations only sells cultured xenia colonies that are many generations old and are much hardier for shipping and aquarium life.

Pom Pom Xenia Aquacultured
Xenia umbellata

Picture of Pom Pom Xenia, Xenia umbelata, Aquacultured

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Description Pom Pom Xenia, Xenia umbellata, is the crown jewel among xenia species. It's hardy and very attractive with fast pulsing action. It does not grow as fast as other xenias, but pulses much quicker then tree xenia and has a nice white/pink color exact color depending on water chemistry and lighting conditions. Pom Pom Xenia, also known as Red Sea Xenia has pinkish tan and white polyps with eight tentacles. Unlike other Xenia corals it grows on very compact stalks that pulse rapidly. It will encrust over just about any non-living surface in the aquarium and makes quite a spectacular display.

Aquacultered We aquaculture our own Pom Pom Xenia here at Aquarium Creations, by cutting off fragments of our mother colonies. The Silver Xenia we ship you is many generations aquacultured. This is very important since aquacultured Xenia are hardier than wild-collected specimens and are without the potential to carry sea born infections, or disease to your tank. They have lived there entire life under aquarium lighting and with aquarium type water flow and movement. A fast growing coral, provide adequate space between them and other types of soft corals.

Care Level Moderate

Blue Xenia, Aquacultured
Anthelia spp.

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Description Blue Xenia also called Blue Anthillia is groupings of colonial animals with multiple individual polyps attached to a piece of solid substrate. They form stalks as they grow, and to reproduce. They are a beautiful blue color and their eight-tentacle polyps do not pulse like other species of Xenia but will sway beautifully in the reef aquarium in time to the tank current. Under proper conditions, these colonies will grow out and cover adjacent rock, giving a mat like appearance. While they do not pulse like most other xenia corals, they do wave in the water currents, which gives them their common name, and they do have a beautiful color.

Aquacultered We aquaculture our own Blue Xenia Coral here at Aquarium Creations, by cutting off fragments of our mother colonies. The Xenia we ship you is many generations aquacultured. This is very important since aquacultured Xenia are hardier than wild-collected specimens and are without the potential to carry sea born infections, or disease to your tank. They have lived there entire life under aquarium lighting and with aquarium type water flow and movement. A fast growing coral, provide adequate space between them and other types of soft corals.

Care Level Moderate

Silver Pumping Xenia, Aquacultured
Xenia Elongata

Picture of Silver Pumping Xenia, Aquacultured

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Description Silver Xenia is much like it's counterpart, Umbellata Pumping Xenia, accept it has most beautiful silver/Green tips. Silver Xenia is a rapid growing soft coral that is by far one of the most popular species available for any aquarium. It's hand waving movement brings your attention to it's soft, silvery grey and various shades of golden polyps that are silvery tipped. In rhythm, healthy polyps continuously open and close; whereas, an unhappy or newly acclimated one will remain still. Their relaxing display of pulsating movement can be mesmerizing and a real joy to watch. They bring an inviting motion to your aquarium that is most attractive. If you don't already have one, this will be a species that you will not regret adding to your tank.

Aquacultered We aquaculture our own Silver Pumping Xenia here at Aquarium Creations, by cutting off fragments of our mother colonies. The Silver Xenia we ship you is many generations aquacultured. This is very important since aquacultured Xenia are hardier than wild-collected specimens and are without the potential to carry sea born infections, or disease to your tank. They have lived there entire life under aquarium lighting and with aquarium type water flow and movement. A fast growing coral, provide adequate space between them and other types of soft corals.

Care Level Moderate

Blue Cespitularia Coral, Aquacultured
Cespitularia sp.

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Description Blue Cespitularia is an unusual color form for the reef tank making it one of the hobby's very sought after soft corals. The Blue Cespitularia, also referred to as Blue Xenia, has beautiful polyps dressed in a almost neon like blue coloration which will draw the attention of all your reef aquarium visitors. The Cespitularia genus of corals falls under the family Xeniidae and is closely related to Xenia and Anthelia. Delicate, feathery polyps grow on the ends of long stalks, but Cespitularia sp. lack the rapid pulsing behavior found in many other Xeniids.

Aquacultered We aquaculture our own Blue Cespitularia Xenia here at Aquarium Creations, by cutting off fragments of our mother colonies. The Blue Cespitularia Xenia we ship you is many generations aquacultured. This is very important since aquacultured Xenia are hardier than wild-collected specimens and are without the potential to carry sea born infections, or disease to your tank. They have lived there entire life under aquarium lighting and with aquarium type water flow and movement. A fast growing coral, provide adequate space between them and other types of soft corals.

Care Level Moderate

Purple Cespitularia Coral, Aquacultured
Xenia Cespitularia

Picture of Vargas Purple Monster Xenia, Cespitularia

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Description This unusual and beautiful Xenia Cespitularia form is called the Vargas Purple Monster from the original parent colony from the aquarium of author Tony Vargas. It is a beautiful crystalline purple/blue color that really pops when seen top down through the water or illuminated by aquarium lighting. The Cespitularia genus of corals falls under the family Xeniidae and is closely related to Xenia and Anthelia. Its growth form is considerably more robust. Cespitularia species are located throughout Indo-Pacific Area and Red Sea. Colonies are usually found in shallow areas near the shoreline in both clear and turbid water that is somewhat protected from heavy wave action.

Aquacultered We aquaculture our own Vargas Purple Monster Xenia Cespitularia here at Aquarium Creations, by cutting off fragments of our mother colonies. The Purple Monster Cespitularia we ship you is many generations aquacultured. This is very important since aquacultured Xenia are hardier than wild-collected specimens and are without the potential to carry sea born infections, or disease to your tank. They have lived there entire life under aquarium lighting and with aquarium type water flow and movement. A fast growing coral, provide adequate space between them and other types of soft corals.

Care Level Moderate

Xenia Package
3 Xenia's at 1 Price!

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Description The 3 Xenia Package is available in 2 aquacultured sizes. The Small (1" to 2") or the Medium - (2" to 3") size coral pieces. The package includes our Red Sea Pom Pom Xenia, Xenia umbellata, our Aquacultured Blue Xenia, Blue Anthillia, and our Silver Pumping Xenia, Elongata sp..

Aquacultered We aquaculture all our own Xenia colonies here at Aquarium Creations, by cutting off fragments of our mother colonies. The Xenia we ship you is many generations aquacultured. This is very important since aquacultured Xenia are hardier than wild-collected specimens and are without the potential to carry sea born infections, or disease to your tank. They have lived there entire life under aquarium lighting and with aquarium type water flow and movement. A fast growing coral, provide adequate space between them and other types of soft corals.

Care Level Moderate

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Photos are representative of each species. All marine life will be unique and variations should be expected, color and sizes may vary.
*Guarantee Restriction: All of our livestock are guaranteed. However for one or more of these species, they may be marked with a guarantee restriction. If it does, it means the specific animal may not handle stress from environmental conditions well. These stresses can include poor water quality, harassment from tank mates or confined aquarium conditions. When stressed, these species can lose the ability to ward off infection and disease. Other species may be listed as Restricted because they have such specialized feeding requirements that is difficult recreate in a aquarium and may succumb to malnutrition.