xenia questions.

[Blownsvt]

I just got some xenia tonight. it is currently attached to a piece of live rock. I don't know that i want to drop a piece of live rock from the lfs into my tank. is it possible to remove the xenia from this rock and put it onto rock in my tank without harming it?

 

[dygaar]

You can just cut the xenia off the rock with scissors or a razor and attach it to your rock. I attached mine by stabbing it with a toothpick and giving it a day to attach to my rock. It grows like a weed has taken over several rocks now 3 months later.

 

[extremeshocks]

You can also put a rubber band around it. It will attach to you rock in a short time and also grow like a weed. Good luck.

 

[Perc25]

the real question is, how DO you harm it!

 

[livingcorals]

lol Nice Perc, well just make sure when you cut the xenia that is in a controlled area. If just 1 little mm size gets out it can and will start a new colony. Many people do not like this coral since it can overstay its welcome. Myself I just cut off a stalk and rubber band it. In 2 days its started to attach on the rock.
Good luck

 

[ReefiusMaxiumus]

I always just cut a piece off, put it where I want, and then stick a small rock on top of it. It will attach itself in a couple of days.

 

[Blownsvt]

well for whatever reason it did not open up nearly as well in my tank as it did in the tank at the LFS.

 

[apjohnson]

It's going to be really slimy and the glue won't hold..so use the rubberband or toothpick method mentioned by the others.

 

[sandrifter]

well for whatever reason it did not open up nearly as well in my tank as it did in the tank at the LFS.

It will take some time and should get back to normal as long as params are good. Even if I put my hand in the tank my xenia shink, they are funny like that.

 

[OldNemo]

lol Nice Perc, well just make sure when you cut the xenia that is in a controlled area. If just 1 little mm size gets out it can and will start a new colony. Many people do not like this coral since it can overstay its welcome. Myself I just cut off a stalk and rubber band it. In 2 days its started to attach on the rock.
Good luck

So if you cut it off a rock and there is a little nubbin left, it will grow huh? My little piece is growing fast (all in one spot) and making me nervous. It will soon overstay its welcome and take over my zoos in my nano.

 

[dsn112]

xenia will do well in a lfs tank usually because they like water to be a bit "dirty"

I had the same problem before, my tank was so clean that it was ****ed. It got used to it however I did have to battle to keep it from taking over my tank.

 

[livingcorals]

Yes correct it will/can grow back as a new colony. Will can block light from the zoas and start covering over it. If you get some forceps it will help removing it 100% just pull slow and you should be able to get its matting and all. I always had success with this.

If you do not want it on the rocks just place it next a ledge on the glass. Just have it grow on the glass.

 

[richie shepherd]

on the glass is a good idea

 

[sc reefer]

Xenia naturally grows upward so if you place a plug above the colony, it should grow onto the plug.

 

[kynsee]

with xenias u can just cut it or chop it up and it will grow like weeds no matter how u cut or chop it up but even with a peice attached to the rock after u cut it off it will grow back.

 

[thomasp123]

I would not worry much about the LFS rock. People buy Rock all the time and it is fine.

 

[ecupcar]

No matter how you secure it to the plug, place it in a low flow section of your tank until it attaches to the rock or plug. If you have high flow with a rubber band or toothpick, it can get shredded and then you will have many little heads all over your tank... and from experience then you will have lots of Xenia....

 

[Scott-CapeCoral]

You can't harm these guys... I'm ripping them out everyday and throwing them in the fuge. they grab onto anything and grow again....

 

[Scott-CapeCoral]

Always try to keep these keys on thier own rock if you want them in your display.

 

[fishbait2]

IME Just keep them away from powerheads, cause they will stretch to it, get chopped up, and spread everywhere.