Xenia

[wsun083]

My xenia is growing this yellow substance on almost all the stalks, and one of the stalks has completely "melted" due to this yellow substance. What is it? What can I do to make it go away? Does too much flow or lighting cause it?

 

[leebca]

I think you need to get this posted in a non-club Forum here on RC so you get the biggest exposure.

Try posting in one of the Coral Forums (see listing).

 

[rscott76]

its dead dude. its decaying. pull it out. that happened to one of my stalks after it slouched down onto the acan i have in my nano. come by and ill hook you up with a stalk tomorrow some time

 

[wsun083]

Really? Well I have about 7 stalks. I normally wouldn't care but it's the bali xenia which is harder to find. The other stalks seem fine. I'll just have to wait and see.

 

[XeniaMania]

There's something in your water that's causing this to happen. Even if you cut the decaying part, the other parts may still end up decaying. This would be a good time for Iodine.
I'm also curious, you say you have 7 stalks, I'm assuming 7 individual colonies? Reason I ask is because the Bali doesn't grow like the Red Sea where there's multiple stalks per colony. A picture would be helpful.

 

[XeniaMania]

Also:
Xenias like high lighthing. I've rarely encountered light shock w/ xenias. I would suggest testing your pH, for from my experiences, it's typically low pH that causes a massive die-off like this. If your pH is 8.3-8.6 range, then the next area I would look at is nutrient levels in your water. It's a common misnomer that nitrates/phosphates equate to nutrients, when in reality, xenias take in dissolved organics as well. It's actually DO that's more beneficial, but they will take in nitrates and phosphates.

 

[mnguyen878]

I agree with Mania, he knows his xenias. Remove the dying colonies, I remember reading that when xenias die, they release an enzyme that is not too polite to the other reef inhabitants.

It is not fact or anything, but that is something that was brought to my attention a few months ago when my xenias were dying.

And do some more h20 changes, they do wonders for reef tanks.

Thanks,

Mike