Xenia be Anthelia

[piranhaman00]

I recently purchased a Xenia and anthelia coral from unique corals, I can’t tell them apart! I keep going back and forth, can anyone tell from the terrible pics ?

 

[piranhaman00]

I’m finding pictures online that are identical to both but contradict each other! Help haha

 

[Crashjack]

I'm guessing 1st pic is anthelia. I'm not sure this is always the case, but in my experience anthelia encrusts (forms a mat) where xenia has a base with multiple stalks. Anthelia spreads via the mat while xenia forms new bases.

 

[piranhaman00]

Better pics 2 of each.

 

[piranhaman00]

I found the pic of what they said was anthelia and it’s def the second one!

 

[Crashjack]

Pom-pom xenia has a stalk from which the polyps protrude (sort of like a celery stick). The anthelia I've had (and have) mats as stated earlier. I had pom-pom xenia in my 75 gal back in the 90's-2000's and to my recollection, the stalks were always pretty obvious. My guess is that either both of these anthelia or that the xenia is some sort of encrusting/matting type that doesn't pulse.

 

[piranhaman00]

Pom-pom xenia has a stalk from which the polyps protrude (sort of like a celery stick). The anthelia I've had (and have) mats as stated earlier. I had pom-pom xenia in my 75 gal back in the 90's-2000's and to my recollection, the stalks were always pretty obvious. My guess is that either both of these anthelia or that the xenia is some sort of encrusting/matting type that doesn't pulse.

Is anthelia as invasive and Xenia?

 

[MaxTremors]

Is anthelia as invasive and Xenia?

Even moreso IME. It grows faster and because it mats it can completely cover rocks and glass.

 

[Crashjack]

Is anthelia as invasive and Xenia?

To me it anthelia isn't as invasive because the matting keeps it more localized. That said, I'm only growing it on my back glass. I like pom-pom xenia better (I like the pulsing) but it would have ended up all over the tank unless I stayed on top of removing it, which I didn't want to do.