Big Pulsing Xenia Care Guide
Heteroxenia fuscescens is a larger, strongly pulsing relative of Xenia in the family Xeniidae. It is photosynthetic and forms tall, leafy colonies.
Overview
Heteroxenia fuscescens is a pulsing soft coral of the family Xeniidae, a larger relative of Xenia known for its dramatic pulsing. It forms tall, leafy colonies whose polyps rhythmically open and close their many-fingered hands. Like other Xeniidae it is photosynthetic and can spread quickly under good conditions.
Taxonomy
- Class: Octocorallia
- Family: Xeniidae
- Genus: Heteroxenia
- Scientific name: Heteroxenia fuscescens
- Authority: (Ehrenberg, 1834) (WoRMS, order Malacalcyonacea)
Habitat
The species is associated with Indo-Pacific and Red Sea reefs. As a photosynthetic soft coral it depends on symbiotic zooxanthellae for most of its energy.
Tank requirements
- Temperature: 24–26 °C (75–79 °F)
- pH: 8.1–8.4
- Specific gravity: 1.024–1.026
- Carbonate hardness (dKH): 8–11
- Calcium: 380–450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1280–1350 ppm
- Nitrate: below ~15 ppm; phosphate below ~0.1 ppm
- Lighting: medium, about 75–175 PAR
- Flow: low to moderate, indirect
- Minimum tank age: about 3 months
Moderate light and gentle, indirect flow support strong pulsing; place on rock with room for the colony to develop its tall, leafy form.
Diet
Heteroxenia fuscescens is mainly photosynthetic, obtaining most of its nutrition from zooxanthellae and dissolved nutrients; optional amino acids or phytoplankton may support growth but heavy feeding is not required.
Compatibility
It is reef, fish and shrimp safe and lacks strong stinging tentacles, but as a fast-spreading xeniid it should be given space and managed to prevent it overtaking other corals.