Wandering Xenia

[Gordi]

Hi, I'm new on here so hello to everyone!
I'm quite new to the saltwater aquarium hobby so please bear with me if I ask anything obvious or silly.
I just (an hour ago) placed a Xenia coral on my reef and within 2 minutes it became detached from the plug and wandered off somewhere where it can't be seen. Will it find a new home without any help from me or do I just write it off?
Thanks for your time in reading this.
Gordi

 

[Jaden9933]

Hi, I'm new on here so hello to everyone!
I'm quite new to the saltwater aquarium hobby so please bear with me if I ask anything obvious or silly.
I just (an hour ago) placed a Xenia coral on my reef and within 2 minutes it became detached from the plug and wandered off somewhere where it can't be seen. Will it find a new home without any help from me or do I just write it off?
Thanks for your time in reading this.
Gordi

Xenia are known for detaching and reattaching themselves to speed up propagation. They don’t like being glued to frag plugs. The part of them with glue on it will typically melt, leaving a free floating coral. The best thing to do it keep it in a low flow area where it won’t be moving around. If you have an anemone/mushroom box, you could keep it in there with some rock rubble and it should start to grow on it. If not, a DIY mushroom box may be your best bet IMO

 

[Mikedawg]

And, you can always use a rubber band to attach a piece to rock rubble etc., and, soon enough, it will attach on its own. Be aware, Xenia will spread all over your tank and can become a nuisance. I have to "trim" mine regularly with a pair of aquatic scissors and am careful to net up all remnants to minimize spread.

Still, worth the effort to have them swaying in the current.

 

[Gordi]

And, you can always use a rubber band to attach a piece to rock rubble etc., and, soon enough, it will attach on its own. Be aware, Xenia will spread all over your tank and can become a nuisance. I have to "trim" mine regularly with a pair of aquatic scissors and am careful to net up all remnants to minimize spread.

Still, worth the effort to have them swaying in the current.

 

[Gordi]

Many thanks for the replies. It seems to be what happened and it's now somewhere with a lower flow and not as much light. I'll have to see how it goes because I can't reach the crafty little sod!!!