Pulsing Xenia

Pulsing Xenia (Xenia umbellata) is one of the few corals that moves with visible rhythm, its feathery polyps opening and closing in a continuous, synchronized pulse that animates any section of the reef it occupies. Coloration ranges from cream to soft pink and tan, and the pulsing motion – believed to assist in gas exchange and nutrient uptake – creates an almost meditative quality in the aquascape. Xenia is a fast-spreading soft coral that thrives under moderate to high lighting and medium flow; it can colonize rock rapidly, so strategic placement on an isolated rock or plug is advisable. It requires no supplemental feeding and tolerates a range of water parameters, though it is sensitive to copper-based treatments. An easy, visually dynamic coral for any reef display.