Main causes of xenia not thriving

[Giancarlo Reefer]

What are the main causes why xenia could not thrive but other corals such as zoanthids or mushroom and gsp can?

 

[JumboShrimp]

Interested in the answer too. My frags from the LFS always seem to turn ugly gray and beat-up looking within 2 weeks of bringing them home.

 

[Fragtory]

I don't know if anybody actually knows the answer to this question because they are a unique Coral in themselves but I have heard that they like a little dirtier water than most Coral

 

[Rc1989]

Mine grows like crazy in my tank. My phosphate on a Hannah checker always reads at 0. However that means it can be anywhere from 0.00 to .04 due to the accuracy.

 

[Rc1989]

If you guys are close enough, feel free to come take some lol.

 

[ScooterV]

Trick them with reverse psychology. Instead of desiring them, just consider them a pest and they will be all over in no time!

 

[rkpetersen]

Mine grows like crazy in my tank. My phosphate on a Hannah checker always reads at 0. However that means it can be anywhere from 0.00 to .04 due to the accuracy.

Ditto. Two different species, pulsing and non-pulsing. I rip out swatches of them from time to time to help with nutrient export. Also got them in the sump now. They've been ridiculously hardy even when other corals weren't doing well due to one mishap or another. They definitely don't need 'dirty' water. I would have a hard time saying under what conditions they wouldn't thrive. Mine seem to like a lot of flow, even to the point where it's constantly whipping them around in the current. Also, I do supplement iodine in my systems; xenia may like that.

 

[cracker]

I think it's the cleaner water less nutrients & the likes .

 

[WVNed]

How much flow do you have? If you beat them up they look straggly and contracted.

Foxface in the spa

 

[JumboShrimp]

I might try a few of the suggestions. It’s fairly humiliating, because the folks at my LFS say (tongue in cheek), “If you can’t grow mushroom, xenia, and green star polyps, it’s time to just quit the hobby!”

 

[Fragtory]

It is a well-known fact that softies like eutrophic water aka dirty water (high nutrients)....

 

[alton]

In this tank if I ran the skimmer the Xenia would not pulse.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Cool photo, thanks for sharing!

 

[TexasTodd]

OP, what lights are you running?
They like a good amount of light, not too much flow, somewhat higher nutrients. I've heard some iron helps too.
They are very temp sensitive. The main reason they don't ship well.

 

[Rc1989]

Mine are under high flow low light. They are growing like weeds. They use to be in high flow high lights, same results. I do run my skimmer and carbon/gfo reactor. They still do great.

 

[Rc1989]

I have two kinds , here’s one