Xenia unbellata

Lamarck, 1816

Xenia, Pulse Coral

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean

Natural Environment: Found in clear water lagoon and reef areas to turbid nutrient rich inshore locations.

General Husbandry: Can be propagated by taking cuttings. Requires medium to good water circulation, will not tolerate hair algae, and seems to do better in aquariums that regularly use iodine additives. A fairly easy coral to maintain under the proper circumstances. Yet, seems to be prone to "crashes" where it dissipates rapidly. This can sometimes be stopped by increasing water flow, thinning out the colony, and/or increasing iodine level. The brown protozoan Helicostoma, a gelatinous slime-like material that is sometimes involved in Xenia crashes, can occasionally be cleared up by bathing the specimen in a weak solution of Lugols iodine.

It is thought to put out a chemical that interferes with the growth of mushroom coral. Yet some aquariums I've seen having both were all doing well. Yet, I suggest Xenia be placed where water flowing past it will go directly to the filter system or sump, and not past mushroom colonies.

Xenia seems to do better under intense light. It can spread like a carpet and can overgrow adjacent corals. Does not sting adjacent corals, but simply overgrows them or shades them.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Anthozoa

Subclass: Octocorallia

Order: Alcyonacea

Family: Xeniidae

Genus: Xenia

FYI: Do not remove a specimen with highly inflated polyps from the water as the weight of the water in the flesh may damage/tear the polyps. Gently shake the specimen and allow them to retract somewhat before removing.

Even though this species is a poor shipper, healthy specimens, once established are quite hardy and disease resistant.

There's also a small crab, usually found in pairs and visible only at night, that eats this soft coral. Usually found on top of closed heads at night. If possible, remove with a tweezers.

Experience Level: Beginner

Diet: Photosynthetic/Absorption of nutrients

Temperament: Peaceful

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe:Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy

Calcium (Ca): 380 - 430 mg/l

Alkalinity: 2.5 - 3.0 meq/l

Phosphate (PO4): <0.05 mg/l

Magnesium (Mg): approx. 1350 mg/l (relate to specific gravity)

Strontium (Sr) 8 - 10 mg/l

Temperature Range: 68 - 85°F (20 - 29°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons

Lighting: PAR 450+

Water Movement: WM 2 - 3

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4

Iodine/Trace Elements Monitor/as necessary to maintain quality seawater.