Pulsating Xenia

Joon16

Joon16

New member
I bought a pulsating xenia this weekend at the LFS. After doing some reading I have learned that they grow very fast and can take over your tank. Is there any way to contain them? If i put a small cluster of rock in the sand (away from all my other rock) will that contain them to that area or can they move acoss the sand and get attached to my other rocks?
 
Placing them on an "island" works well. If you have them on your main rockwork they tend to spread up towards the light rather than down. If you are careful you can pull off the ones that are spreading onto unwanted areas.
 
Usually kept high up on the reef for strong water flow and highest possible lighting. Xenia will reproduce in the tank by attaching its stalk against adjacent surfaces it contacts and splitting into two colonies. In this way, Xenia colonies tend to 'walk' in the direction that water movement bends their stocks, so you may want to consider this in your placement. Xenia can usually be coaxed to grow up the back glass of the tank and forms a nice background display
 
Yep, keep it on the sand. And if you want it bigger then put a bigger rock under it to grow onto. Or you could put smaller rocks around it and as they grow, pull those smaller rocks out to sell it and control your population.


Mike Hayes
 
The main supplement normally associated with successfully keeping Xenia is Iodine. Many authors state categorically that iodine supplements are critical to success and lack of iodine supplements will cause xenia to crash. I have keep Xenia with and without iodine supplementation and have observed no difference, so I am more skeptical of the iodine connection. Low Alkalinity levels can cause Xenia pulsing to decrease or cease altogether, so alkalinity levels should be monitored and kept above a minimum of 2.5meq/l.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. I am going to try the "island" technique and see how that works. I guess ill be rearranging my rock...AGAIN haha
 
All6Fish said:
Ill buy some, keep me in mind. sending a friend request now.
Click to expand...

As soon as they start to multiply I will send you a message. I'm glad I have someone to take some incase it gets out of control. I would feel bad just killing it.
 
I've had pulsing Xenia for over 2 years now, contained in a rock island right in front of the tank so it's easy to get to. I've probably sold/killed/given away 10 times it's size in the last 2 years.

Be aware, the Xenia does step down from the rock unto the substrate. If the substrate is loose or fine sand, it will clump the sand together to act as an anchor for itself. If the susbstrate anchor is not heavy enough, the Xenia WILL get blown about. It may land on one area you can't see, and it will take root there, and then the new colony will be a pain to eradicate.

Here's an interesting pic from my tank of how a Xenia "walks". The Xenia leans down, puts out a little "feeler foot" to the substrate (you can just see a little tip in the pic to the right), then anchors down. You can see a completed step and a fully anchored xenia to the left of the pic.

IMG_0548.jpg
 
What about keeping it at the highest point of the tank in sort of a moderate flow? Wouldn't it be less likely to be blown over and take root, and less inclined to roam since any movement would mean less light?
 
Bpb said:
What about keeping it at the highest point of the tank in sort of a moderate flow? Wouldn't it be less likely to be blown over and take root, and less inclined to roam since any movement would mean less light?
Click to expand...

Mine is at the highest peak in the tank but has not widen out but I was able to make frags from the middle.
 
Bpb said:
What about keeping it at the highest point of the tank in sort of a moderate flow? Wouldn't it be less likely to be blown over and take root, and less inclined to roam since any movement would mean less light?
Click to expand...

It will spread downward on the rock. The heads that are in shade may not look as healthy or robust, but it will spread. These suckers are hardy! I even have a small colony 30" under the water, and under CF lights!! They truly follow the old dictum, "Go forth and multiply".

Best bet for containment is to keep it on an island and aggressively remove any heads that step down unto the substrate.

They are pretty, though, waving hello and goodbye to you :), well worth the risk and effort. Here's a vid I made where the Xenia are prominently displayed:

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4PXHGKejXQ8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
+1 to all above. Keep it away from your main rock structure! Its hard to scrap it completely off the rock. It will regrow from tiny bits left. Also there is a blue and green-blue xenia which looks better in my opinion.
 
I have 2 small rocks that would be perfect for creating an island on the bottom of my tank. I have a 90 gal with a 4 bulb t5 light. Will they get sufficient light if they are placed on these rocks that will be directly on top of the sand bed?
 
Standard 90 gallon is 24" tall. Yeah, you should be fine with a 4 bulb T5 and Xenia on the substrate. Like I said, I have a colony 30" down from a compact fluorescent fixture!

Pick a spot with lower flow. Not only will it help keep the Xenia from migrating too far, the Xenia will "pulse" or wave much better and with more frequency that way.
 
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