difference between xenia?
- Thread starter rexxx
- Start date
hi.
There are two geni under the family Xeniidea, namely, Xenia and Anthelia. Anthelia is often mistaken for Xenia. The true Xenia have many species, most popular of which is X. elongata. It is often referred to as the IndoPacific, tree, blue, or brown Xenia. A pinkish variety is from the Red Sea, and some people call it the pink Xenia. There are also whitish Xenia from Fuji, as well as pompom Xenia. Another is X. umbella, which is similar to pompom variety, but can be the same thing... So I have about two scientific names, 4 varieties, 9 common names, one of which is a misindentification.
Most Xenia pulses. Some Anthelia also pulses. Some Xenia pulses in one's tank, while the same Xenia don't in others. Some Xenia pulses all the time, other only pulses at night. Some Xenia pulses, but for some unknown reason (computer virus? loud rock music?) stopped pulsing all of a sudden. Some Xenia never pulses before, but after the caretaker dated a new boyfriend, it started to pulse.
Some people dose radioactive Iodine, while some never dose anything. Some people say their Xenia swallowed a small fish, while other say it does not even have a mouth/stomach. Some people dose sodium nitrate, while other tried to keep nitrate at 0ppm. Some people never has one live more than two weeks, other flush Xenia down the toilet like v^hit. Some people put it under MH, other grow it well under NO. Some say they like low current, other say they only happy right in front of a powerhead.
Did I confused you enough yet?
There are two geni under the family Xeniidea, namely, Xenia and Anthelia. Anthelia is often mistaken for Xenia. The true Xenia have many species, most popular of which is X. elongata. It is often referred to as the IndoPacific, tree, blue, or brown Xenia. A pinkish variety is from the Red Sea, and some people call it the pink Xenia. There are also whitish Xenia from Fuji, as well as pompom Xenia. Another is X. umbella, which is similar to pompom variety, but can be the same thing... So I have about two scientific names, 4 varieties, 9 common names, one of which is a misindentification.
Most Xenia pulses. Some Anthelia also pulses. Some Xenia pulses in one's tank, while the same Xenia don't in others. Some Xenia pulses all the time, other only pulses at night. Some Xenia pulses, but for some unknown reason (computer virus? loud rock music?) stopped pulsing all of a sudden. Some Xenia never pulses before, but after the caretaker dated a new boyfriend, it started to pulse.
Some people dose radioactive Iodine, while some never dose anything. Some people say their Xenia swallowed a small fish, while other say it does not even have a mouth/stomach. Some people dose sodium nitrate, while other tried to keep nitrate at 0ppm. Some people never has one live more than two weeks, other flush Xenia down the toilet like v^hit. Some people put it under MH, other grow it well under NO. Some say they like low current, other say they only happy right in front of a powerhead.
Did I confused you enough yet?
rexxx,
I agree with some of seven's reply. Anthelia is in the same family as xenia, is often mistakenly called xenia, and there are many species of xenia.
Trying to identify xenia to the species level is (like most corals) futile. The appearance of any given species is quite variable. Guessing that a particular xenia is from the Red Aea, Bali, or Fiji is just as futile as trying to guess the species. Despite this, "red sea", "bali", and "fiji" have become entrenched common names for xenias with certain appearances.
Also, there are several genera in the Family xeniidae, including xenia, heteroxenia, cespitularia, efflatournaria, stereosoma, and anthelia. Some pulse, some don't.
Care is also quite variable, and species that grow well for some aquarists shrivel and die for others. Tank raised xenia are pretty easy to come by, as some varietys grow so fast as to become pests. Aquireing a specimen from someone local who has a similar system to yours will improve your chances, but not guarantee success.
IME, most xenias are tolerant of a wide range of light, and will creep higher if they are not getting enough. They appreciate gentle current, and will cease pulsing if it is too strong. High pH and alkalinity are mandatory. Pulsing generally slows or ceases if pH falls below 8.2, and/or alkalinity falls below about 2.5 mEq/l.
May people insist that iodine additions are necessary, but I have had xenia overrun tanks where no iodine additions were made, and I have had xenia crash immediately after starting lugols additions. Don't believe the hype, and use any additives with caution.
Cespitularia, heteroxenia and Efflatournaria are rarely seen imports, usually demand high prices, and are reported to be quite touchy. If you are lucky enough to ever see one of them, resist the urge to buy it unless you have built some experience with other less demanding (and captive grown) xeniids.
HTH
Adam
I agree with some of seven's reply. Anthelia is in the same family as xenia, is often mistakenly called xenia, and there are many species of xenia.
Trying to identify xenia to the species level is (like most corals) futile. The appearance of any given species is quite variable. Guessing that a particular xenia is from the Red Aea, Bali, or Fiji is just as futile as trying to guess the species. Despite this, "red sea", "bali", and "fiji" have become entrenched common names for xenias with certain appearances.
Also, there are several genera in the Family xeniidae, including xenia, heteroxenia, cespitularia, efflatournaria, stereosoma, and anthelia. Some pulse, some don't.
Care is also quite variable, and species that grow well for some aquarists shrivel and die for others. Tank raised xenia are pretty easy to come by, as some varietys grow so fast as to become pests. Aquireing a specimen from someone local who has a similar system to yours will improve your chances, but not guarantee success.
IME, most xenias are tolerant of a wide range of light, and will creep higher if they are not getting enough. They appreciate gentle current, and will cease pulsing if it is too strong. High pH and alkalinity are mandatory. Pulsing generally slows or ceases if pH falls below 8.2, and/or alkalinity falls below about 2.5 mEq/l.
May people insist that iodine additions are necessary, but I have had xenia overrun tanks where no iodine additions were made, and I have had xenia crash immediately after starting lugols additions. Don't believe the hype, and use any additives with caution.
Cespitularia, heteroxenia and Efflatournaria are rarely seen imports, usually demand high prices, and are reported to be quite touchy. If you are lucky enough to ever see one of them, resist the urge to buy it unless you have built some experience with other less demanding (and captive grown) xeniids.
HTH
Adam
I have 7 types of xenia easily identified as being different from each other. These are all in the same tank but I have seen xenias frags from my tank look different in another system. All of my xenias pulse all the time except 1 which hardly ever pulses. Some of them pulse faster than others and some have polyps that are 2-3 times larger than others. Some have different colors on the polyps. I certainly couldn't tell where any of them originated but I use the common names that everyone else uses (as posted above).
George
George
Yup, there are many different kinds of Xenia. Some will do better for you than others.
I have had about 4-7 different kinds. I saw the number is uncertain, cause some grew to look like others I had after I had them for a while.
I do find Xenia don't ship well, and if someones growing some localy I'd rather buy/trade something with them. Still, it doesn't mean it will grow in my tank.
Anyway, that's part of the fun!
Xenia! Buy! Sell! Trade! Collect 'em all!
David Roman
I have had about 4-7 different kinds. I saw the number is uncertain, cause some grew to look like others I had after I had them for a while.
I do find Xenia don't ship well, and if someones growing some localy I'd rather buy/trade something with them. Still, it doesn't mean it will grow in my tank.
Anyway, that's part of the fun!
Xenia! Buy! Sell! Trade! Collect 'em all!
David Roman
itell my customers some of the above. but the biggest thing i convey is this.
Xenia is a funny thing. some call it a weed and cant kill it, others cant get it to live in any manner what so ever.........
it either lives well and grows all over the place, or it just completely dies out............. no inbetween at all........
Xenia is a funny thing. some call it a weed and cant kill it, others cant get it to live in any manner what so ever.........
it either lives well and grows all over the place, or it just completely dies out............. no inbetween at all........
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