Common Names

Pulse Coral, Waving Hand Coral

Description

Xeniidae are encrusting forming mats and having long polyps that grow upwards.  They tend to ‘wave’ in the flow and provide nice movement to the reef aquarium.  Unlike many other corals Xeniidae do no react to stimuli by retracting.  It is an easy coral to care for and less likely to crash.

Care Level: Easy to Difficult

Placement: All

Lighting: Low to Moderate

Flow: Moderate to Strong

Conditions: 74°-83°, s.g. 1.023-1.025, Phosphates 0, Cal 400-450, dKH 8-11, Mag 1200-1350, Sr 8-10

Conditions & Placement

Being a deeper water coral Xeniidae should be kept in low to moderate lighting.

Feeding

Xeniidaehave a symbiotic relationship with the algae zooxanthellae that lives in their tissue for photosynthesis.  They willabsorb dissolved organic matter in the water column and some will capture microscopic food particles.  Target feeding these corals is not needed.

Maintenance

Stable tank conditions are needed to keep XeniidaeWater changes of 20% a month or bi-weekly water changes of at least 10% are suggested. Trace elements can also be added through proper testing.  Keep pH stable at around 8.3.

Warnings

Exercise proper handling procedures when working with Xeniidae only touching them briefly or wearing gloves.  They may also produce mucous when stressed which if accumulated can trap bacteria and harm the coral.