Why do Xenia corals pulse?

Pulsing Xenia open and close their polyps in a steady rhythm, and unlike most coral movement this is driven by the coral itself rather than the current. Research points to the motion improving photosynthesis: contracting the polyps sweeps oxygen away from the tissue and thins the boundary layer of still water around it, letting the symbiotic algae work more efficiently. Pulsing usually slows or stops when the coral is newly shipped, unsettled, or unhappy with flow, light, or water chemistry, so a colony that stops pulsing for more than a few days is worth investigating.

Are Xenia corals easy to keep?

Xenia are widely considered beginner corals because they tolerate a broad range of light, flow, and nutrient levels and never need target feeding. They are photosynthetic and pull dissolved organics straight from the water. The catch is that they dislike very clean water: colonies often struggle in ultra-low-nutrient systems where nitrate and phosphate are stripped to near zero. Xenia also has a reputation for melting without warning after a sharp parameter swing, so stability matters more than any single target number.

How fast do Xenia corals spread?

Very fast. In a stable tank a single frag can cover a rock in a few months, spreading by walking its base outward and dropping small daughter colonies that settle nearby. That growth rate is exactly why Xenia is popular for filling space quickly and exactly why experienced reefers are cautious with it. Plan placement with the mature colony in mind, and remove runners early rather than after they reach corals you care about.

Where should I place Xenia in a reef tank?

Most keepers put Xenia on an isolated rock, an island, or a raised ledge separated from the main aquascape by open sand, which limits how far it can walk. Moderate light and moderate, indirect flow suit it well; too much direct flow keeps the polyps folded shut and too little leaves detritus sitting on the colony. Mid to upper placement generally produces the strongest pulsing. Give surrounding stony corals a few inches of clearance, since Xenia competes chemically as it advances.

What is the difference between Xenia, Anthelia, and Cespitularia?

All three belong to the family Xeniidae and share the same easy, fast-growing character. Xenia grows a distinct stalk topped with a crown of polyps and is the genus famous for pulsing. Anthelia sends its polyps straight up from an encrusting mat with no real stalk, and it waves rather than pulses; it also cannot retract its polyps the way Xenia can. Cespitularia forms bushy, tree-like branches in striking blue and green iridescence and is the most demanding of the three, wanting cleaner water and more stable conditions.

Xenia Corals for Sale | Anthelia & Cespitularia Frags

Xenia Corals

5 Xenia corals for sale, including Pulsing Xenia, Anthelia and Cespitularia

Shop aquacultured Xenia corals for sale, including rhythmic pulsing Xenia, waving Anthelia, and shimmering blue-green Cespitularia. These fast-growing soft corals are among the easiest and most hypnotic animals you can add to a reef tank, settling in under ... Read more Show less

Shop aquacultured Xenia corals for sale, including rhythmic pulsing Xenia, waving Anthelia, and shimmering blue-green Cespitularia. These fast-growing soft corals are among the easiest and most hypnotic animals you can add to a reef tank, settling in under moderate light and moderate flow. Xeniidae corals also spread quickly, so give them an isolated rock and plan for the colony rather than the frag. Every frag here is grown in our own systems and ships with a live arrival guarantee.