Pom Pom Xenia Care Guide
Pom Pom Xenia is a Heteroxenia trade variant of the family Xeniidae with rounded pom-pom polyp clusters. It is a photosynthetic, pulsing soft coral.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Pom Pom Xenia is a trade name for a Heteroxenia variant within the family Xeniidae, recognised by its rounded, pom-pom-like clusters of polyps. Like other xeniids it is a pulsing soft coral whose many-fingered polyps open and close rhythmically, and it is photosynthetic and decorative in reef displays.
Taxonomy
- Class: Octocorallia
- Family: Xeniidae
- Genus: Heteroxenia
- Scientific name: Heteroxenia sp. 'Pom Pom'
- Note: trade variant; not a formally described species (WoRMS, order Malacalcyonacea)
Habitat
Members of Heteroxenia and the wider Xeniidae occur on tropical Indo-Pacific reefs. As photosynthetic soft corals they rely on symbiotic zooxanthellae for most of their nutrition.
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
As with other Xenia and Heteroxenia, moderate light and gentle, indirect flow encourage pulsing; place on rock with room to spread.
Diet
This coral is mainly photosynthetic, drawing most of its energy from zooxanthellae and absorbing dissolved nutrients; supplemental amino acids or phytoplankton are optional.
Compatibility
It is reef, fish and shrimp safe and lacks strong stinging tentacles, but like other xeniids it can spread vigorously, so give it space and prune as needed.
Pom Pom Xenia Propagation Guide
Overview
Pom pom Xenia is an aquarium-trade variant of Heteroxenia sp. in the family Xeniidae, distinguished by rounded, pom-pom-like clusters of polyps. The genus Heteroxenia was established by Kölliker in 1874, and these corals pulse rhythmically like other xeniids. In the aquarium the form behaves as a typical pulsing soft coral that spreads on its own.
Reproductive Mode
Propagation is asexual. Following the xeniid pattern, the coral reaches onto nearby surfaces, attaches at the point of contact, and daughter clusters can separate from the parent to form new colonies, allowing the coral to spread across rockwork without intervention.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
Cut a polyp cluster near its base with sharp scissors or a clean blade and band the cutting loosely to a plug or rock; it attaches on its own within roughly one to two weeks. Banding to a small rock piece holds better than relying on glue alone, which xeniids tend to slough off.
- Cut a cluster near its base with sharp scissors.
- Band the cutting loosely to a plug or rock.
- Place it in low flow and leave it alone.
- It self-attaches within about one to two weeks.
Conditions for Propagation
Gentle flow and stable mature water favour attachment and pulsing. Keeping the colony on an isolated rock or island makes its quick growth easy to contain and prune before it crowds slower corals.
Common Challenges
As with other pulsing xeniids, the practical concern is overgrowth rather than poor establishment. Regular trimming and physical isolation keep the pom pom colony within bounds.