Xenia problem

[reefguy.5]

Got a Xenia a few days ago. Everything was well and the coral looked healthy. I get home today and it looks like this. If anyone knows what’s going on please let me know

 

[Shirak]

Looks like a pipe organ coral to me.
Why it looks like that? Beats me, can't tell anything from a single picture with no mention of your water parameters, light level and water flow. Looks like a fairly new tank?

Could be it's just adjusting to your system if it's only a few days. But usually corals will start to adjust and slowly come out more and more each day, so if it isn't that could indicate there is something more going on it is unhappy about. If it looked good for those few days and then it's looking worse now for more than a day that could also indicate it's unhappy about something and not just going through it's daily swing of open and closing.

 

[brmreefer]

First, welcome to Reef 2 Reef. :)

Were they introduced to a new-ish tank?

List of last parameter test results will better help others with assisting you.

Any livestock that could be potentially bothering them?

 

[reefguy.5]

I’m testing tomorrow and only live stock in there are two clownfish. Also, yes very new tank, has only had livestock for 2 and a half weeks, but I was told that this coral would do well. Also I have one circulation pump which is 350 gph. I also used dechlorinated tap water if that could be the cause of anything. For lighting I have whatever comes with the Fluval 32.5 AOI, and I heard that it was good for soft corals, let me know if that’s wrong please.

 

[Shirak]

The 32.5 Flex for saltwater? Should be fine as long as it's the saltwater and not the freshwater setup. Your circulation should be fine for now.

Tap water is usually not a good plan. Could be heavy metals and other stuff in there that would cause issues with corals and invertebrates. It also can cause problems with salinity and mineral balance because of the minerals in the tap water, especially if you are using tap water to top up for tank evaporation. You really need to consider either buying RODI water from a reputable source or invest in a descent RODI system of your own. Check around with some local saltwater aquarium shops and see if any sell pure water in 5G amounts. Just get a couple cheap 5G water jugs from walmart.

 

[brmreefer]

The 32.5 Flex for saltwater? Should be fine as long as it's the saltwater and not the freshwater setup. Your circulation should be fine for now.

Tap water is usually not a good plan. Could be heavy metals and other stuff in there that would cause issues with corals and invertebrates. It also can cause problems with salinity and mineral balance because of the minerals in the tap water, especially if you are using tap water to top up for tank evaporation. You really need to consider either buying RODI water from a reputable source or invest in a descent RODI system of your own. Check around with some local saltwater aquarium shops and see if any sell pure water in 5G amounts. Just get a couple cheap 5G water jugs from walmart.

Yup, to what Shirak posted.

I recommend getting away from tap and look into getting RODI unit eventually, and if possible at home. Xenia are pretty resilient, but in my opinion, the tank is still to new. Maybe wait six months, give or take, and take it slow. It is an exciting hobby, especially when getting livestock. However, it can be heart breaking to get something and have it wither away in one's care. Best of luck :)

 

[sunken3]

Looks like a pipe organ coral to me.
Why it looks like that? Beats me, can't tell anything from a single picture with no mention of your water parameters, light level and water flow. Looks like a fairly new tank?

Could be it's just adjusting to your system if it's only a few days. But usually corals will start to adjust and slowly come out more and more each day, so if it isn't that could indicate there is something more going on it is unhappy about. If it looked good for those few days and then it's looking worse now for more than a day that could also indicate it's unhappy about something and not just going through it's daily swing of open and closing.

Agreed... looks like a pipe organ coral (I haven't had that type of coral in years... ), but xenia usually in stalks not buds...

Xenia are extremely prolific in the right conditions and melt away in the wrong conditions. Whatever those are.. I want to say they like the water with a little more nutrients (fish food/waste).

That said I still agree it may not be a xenia that you have. Also, corals in a brand new fish tank (especially with tap water) are very unlikely to make it long term regardless of their hardiness.

I would suggest that you switch to RODI water and give your tank a few months to cycle up before adding more corals.

 

[Just John]

Yup, to what Shirak posted.

I recommend getting away from tap and look into getting RODI unit eventually, and if possible at home. Xenia are pretty resilient, but in my opinion, the tank is still to new. Maybe wait six months, give or take, and take it slow. It is an exciting hobby, especially when getting livestock. However, it can be heart breaking to get something and have it wither away in one's care. Best of luck :)

Just curious. If your parameters are fine and stable, why not add it? They don't produce any waste to affect the system.

 

[littlefishy]

I just tore out all the xenia in my nuvo 10, they smothered everyting.
Yes, that is the way disturbed xenia look. There is also another coral on that plug, that's what other posters are seeing as "buds"

 

[Fish Think Pink]

Agree with @Shirak and @brmreefer about investing in your own RODI unit. Someone local here in Dallas TX was just giving one away as they upgraded to a faster flow model - watch craigslist, etc as you might also be able to score a deal

water parameters? phosphates, alk, calcium, magnisium, ph, salinity, temp, nitrates ... and keeping corals you'll need test kits if you don't yet have your numbers

@Just John at 2.5 week old tank barely thru cycle (assuming their ammonia & nitrites have returned to zero) and can't be yet sure you are maintaining cycle (water change, keep feeding, keep checking nitrates and keep them under 10 (under 5 better) - so you are right about if tank is healthy and stable... but we don't know that it is healthy yet (need water parameters provided by @reefguy.5 , but that tap water is indicator not healthy enough for corals) and age of tank just can't yet know it is stable - another 2 weeks or so AND knowing water parameters, (and using RODI water) then different conversation

@littlefishy thanks for confirming what stressed Xenia look like! Mine are just prolific growers and wouldn't think would shrink into those nubs but given stalk seems flexible... - glad you knew and glad you shared

@reefguy.5 Hoping this works out for you! This hobby can test someone's BBA - Bounce Back Ability but Xenia are tough so it has BBA too if has lighting and healthy water parameters

 

[brmreefer]

Just curious. If your parameters are fine and stable, why not add it? They don't produce any waste to affect the system.

My thoughts on adding corals until later, are to allow new reefers to focus on gaining experience with achieving stability. With the assumption, that one is brand new to keeping a saltwater system, then I feel waiting would be their best ally in terms of succeeding due to the potential experience gained when finally ready to add livestock later down the road.

For the "experienced" reefers, I don't feel this applies because we already know what to test for and what kind of daily swings are normal to our specific systems. We know how to adjust accordingly if ever needed.

It is nothing more than my recommendation. :)

 

[sunken3]

Agree with @Shirak and @brmreefer about investing in your own RODI unit. Someone local here in Dallas TX was just giving one away as they upgraded to a faster flow model - watch craigslist, etc as you might also be able to score a deal

water parameters? phosphates, alk, calcium, magnisium, ph, salinity, temp, nitrates ... and keeping corals you'll need test kits if you don't yet have your numbers

@Just John at 2.5 week old tank barely thru cycle (assuming their ammonia & nitrites have returned to zero) and can't be yet sure you are maintaining cycle (water change, keep feeding, keep checking nitrates and keep them under 10 (under 5 better) - so you are right about if tank is healthy and stable... but we don't know that it is healthy yet (need water parameters provided by @reefguy.5 , but that tap water is indicator not healthy enough for corals) and age of tank just can't yet know it is stable - another 2 weeks or so AND knowing water parameters, (and using RODI water) then different conversation

@littlefishy thanks for confirming what stressed Xenia look like! Mine are just prolific growers and wouldn't think would shrink into those nubs but given stalk seems flexible... - glad you knew and glad you shared

@reefguy.5 Hoping this works out for you! This hobby can test someone's BBA - Bounce Back Ability but Xenia are tough so it has BBA too if has lighting and healthy water parameters

I had xenia nearly take over my 250g years back... all over the rocks, up the glass, etc.. then over the course of a few months, they all started disappearing.. not sure what it was.. (maybe I was better at water changes.. :). that said, a few years later with no xenia in my tank.. .I moved some rocks and noticed a couple babies still living their best life.. the stuff can hang on forever!

 

[sunken3]

My thoughts on adding corals until later, are to allow new reefers to focus on gaining experience with achieving stability. With the assumption, that one is brand new to keeping a saltwater system, then I feel waiting would be their best ally in terms of succeeding due to the potential experience gained when finally ready to add livestock later down the road.

For the "experienced" reefers, I don't feel this applies because we already know what to test for and what kind of daily swings are normal to our specific systems. We know how to adjust accordingly if ever needed.

It is nothing more than my recommendation. :)

agreed... and there is so much more to a stable reef than no ammonia and low nitrates... :)