Corals

Pulsing Xenia

Xenia spp.

Key facts

Temperature24–27 °C
pH8.1–8.4
Adult size15 cm
Difficulty★★☆☆☆
WaterMarine
Reef safeYes

Full profile

Type: Soft Coral (Alcyonacea)
Family: Xeniidae
Origin: Indo-Pacific (Red Sea), (Maldives)
Size: 3 – 15 cm
Temperature: 24 – 27°C
pH: 8.1 – 8.4
Salinity: 1.023 – 1.026
Ca / KH / Mg: Minimum KH: 8 dKH
Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
Light: medium–high (PAR 100–200)
Current: average
Aggressiveness: low – medium (spreads rapidly)
Feeding: photosynthesis; direct absorption of nutrients from the water
Reef Safe: ✅ Yes

Notes: The tentacles contract and expand rhythmically (pulsing): hypnotic behavior. It reproduces rapidly and can overrun the aquarium: requires control. Very sensitive to water quality. Absorbs phosphate.

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