Xenia question

[chrisqueenz]

How do I know if my Xenias are not alive? They are not pulsing anymore and are in the open position but not moving at all.

 

[jgln]

Mine just shrink up until they totally dissapear when they die off. However I discovered that when they stop pulsing it's usually related to my bulbs getting old and dim. Whenever that happens I usually see other corals getting smaller and I replace the bulbs and they begin pumping again. How old are your bulbs?

 

[Gdevine]

Assuming your water params are in line check your flow. They need moderate flow to open up and pulse.

 

[chrisqueenz]

Just turned off one of my powerheads, bulbs have on about 3.5 months of use 2X250w MH...

All other corals are fine, after a water change yesterday my Xenias have been in this position after they balled up for a while.

Anybody ever have this problem?

 

[Subliminal]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11128293#post11128293 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gdevine
Assuming your water params are in line check your flow. They need moderate flow to open up and pulse.

My pulse like a mother when the flow turns off.

I found my params have to be way off from normal to stop pulsing. I haven't had any bulb issues yet, though, so i can't comment on that.

 

[xtm]

You know they're dead when they start to "melt".. you pick them up and there is an unmistakable horrendous smell... trust me YOU'LL KNOW when a Xenia is dead.

In my experience with Xenia, they tend to pulse more when the pH is high (>8.3)

 

[jcpatella]

I just got some Xenia last weekend. For the first two days, it was balled up. Yesterday, it was opened up all the way. It wasn't pulsing, so I turned off all the flow, and in a matter of minutes it began pulsing. I only have 2 48" T5HO right now, and I placed the xenia close to the lights. I feel like I have the bare minimum and my Xenia is looking great.

 

[chrisqueenz]

I haven't picked them up because they are stuck on a few rocks in the rock work, when they are pulsing is that a good thing or not?

 

[chrisqueenz]

I just touched a part of the colony and shribbled up as soon as I touched it, so I assume they are still alive but hopefully they stay that way...

Is this normal for Xenia?

 

[MrSpiffy]

Xenia don't necessarily have to pulse to show they're happy. If they're open, that's good. But no one really knows exactly why they pulse. It might be to increase flow around them, catch more floating particles, a natural response to gathering light... Some people never get them to pulse at all, and they do just fine, growing and multiplying. I'd say as long as they're open and looking good (aside from the pulsing), there's no need to freak out and worry about them dying. Trust me, you'll know when they're unhappy. They ball up and don't open up again.

The key here is: patience...

If they go downhill, then you can act. Otherwise, I'd just check your parameters to make sure they're still in check. If they are, then relax and observe. If not, do a little supplementing to get things back in line. Unless you KNOW there's a problem, don't worry more than is necessary. Wait. Observe. And otherwise go about your normal routine.

 

[chrisqueenz]

Sounds like some good advice that I will take, first time having Xenia and jut want to make sure I care for them the right way..

 

[MrSpiffy]

I actually just got some, myself. I got some thin-bar xenia from another reefer. It seems to be doing well, so far. And it's been pulsing since I got it. But I've often heard that it's kind of random as to whether it pulses or not, and it can stop or start pulsing for seemingly no reason at all.

 

[chrisqueenz]

Yea, mine pulse almost all the time but right after the water change they have been very still and seem to be shrinking but in the "open" position. So I am hoping I didn't do anything wrong. It's the first water change since they have been in my tank.

 

[LockeOak]

Check your pH and alkalinity. I've noticed that mine stop pulsing when either the pH or alk get low, they just stay in an "open hand" position, which is actually a pretty good way of monitoring the tank. Not pulsing is not necessarily a sign that they are in distress. What IS a sign of distress is when the "limbs" go limp and the colony begins to collapse and shrink. Are they in a brightly lit area? If they're in a dim area they may not pulse, they seem to require some light before they'll pulse (dim by coral standards, but some). Also, if you've recently moved or acquired them, sometimes they take a week or two before they get settled in and start to pulse. Mine pulse regardless of flow, perhaps more when I turn the pumps off.

 

[chrisqueenz]

Well lit area, they have been in the tank for about a month and have been fine since the water change. That is the exact position they are in in the "open hand" position.... Will check pH and alk..

 

[chrisqueenz]

Alk was low and pH was normal...

 

[jquailus]

some say they pulse more in nutrient rich tanks, and dont pulse so much in more polished tanks, mine tool about a week to start pulsing a little after i had moved them around, maybe you just need to give them time to adjust to the flow

 

[chrisqueenz]

They have been fine for a few weeks except after that water change yesterday... I guess I will just wait it out.. Parameters are fine now except for Alk which I am trying to bring back up...

Are they sensitive to water changes?