Xenia vs Anthelia

[Khemul]

Trying to figure an ID on this coral. I suspect Anthelia, since it doesn't pulse or branch like I understand Xenia does. It also seems to spread from encrusting the rock around the base, which seems more like Anthelia then Xenia. That and Xenia typically melts into a shower of polyps in this tank, and this seems to be going well. But I didn't think Anthelia usually gets such thick stalks from the center.


With regular flow. It waves around but doesn't seem to pulse like Xenia.

With the flow off, it does seem to have some movement. Not nearly as much as Pom Pom or Pulsing Xenia, but the polyps open and close a tiny amount as if they are trying to pulse.

 

[AquaTDV]

Its unhapply Xenia Elongata....
I use this as my primary filtration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKfhOu2GBaA

 

[AquaTDV]

I would get it off you sandbed and move it closer to the light. From my experience Xenia doesn't like to be in, or even placed on a dynamic sandbed. Especially if you have a sandsifter that likes to dump sand on it or a powerhead that does the same. Good luck

 

[Khemul]

Yeah, the sandbed was temporary. It's slightly elevated off the sandbed now and it seems to be doing better. The third was an old picture, it definitely didn't seem to like that that much, and the first and second were more recent but towards the end of the light cycle. The second picture I think I upset it by killing the flow in the tank. I still need to get it a permanent home in the tank, but I'm moving everything in a week or so so for now just putting it in places it seems to do okay in until it gets a permanent home in the new tank.

Thanks. Should Xenia Elongata pulse or does it depend on flow and conditions? It's in the heavier flow area of the tank now and seems happy to sway in the current. The one time I've seen it start sort of pulsing on its own was when I cut all flow and put in live brine shrimp.

 

[AquaTDV]

Under health conditions Elongata will pulse. For me the lower the flow the better they look and the more they pulse. That is why I only run about 200gph through a 1 1/2" hose into my Xenia fuge.

 

[jtisle506]

Deffinitly a xenia, if it still isnt pulsing its a sign of stress

 

[MediTank]

yup i agree with everyone else... xenia.... i have a large patch that just sits and doesnt pulse either... just sitting and waiting with open "hands" but once something touches it, they close up normally....:wavehand: