Xenia trouble

SweetOblivion · Aug 5, 2014

I have a mixed reef with a variety of softies and stony corals, 2 of which are different varieties of Xenia.

Recently, for no given reason, about half of my smaller Xenia colony started to droop.

It was just like that one mornimg, no reason given.

None of my other corals, including my SPS, are showing any ill signs, not even my OTHER Xenia.

This is quite troubling, because they don't seem to be recovering.

Help would be much appreciated

Reefing Madness · Aug 6, 2014

Don't know how long they've been that way, but Softies are a bit testy, and can close up from time to time, for apparent no reason, then in a week or so go right back to normal.

fishroomlady · Aug 6, 2014

I agree with reefing, they may just be tired

- if there was something in the tank causing them a problem, I would think you would see signs in your other xenia. I'd just give it a little time and see if they wake back up.

Daniel@R2R · Aug 6, 2014

Also, xenia like nutrients. If you're running SPS in the same tank, then you may not have enough nutrients to make them happy. Just a thought. What are your params?

deedeesdaddy · Aug 6, 2014

I had a nitrate spike recently and the xenia didn't survive but adonis paly did and other high end corals are ok, thank god... I did loose a few beauties tho along with every stalk of xenia... don't know if ima put the xenia back in tho. Now that it's gone

spearofthor · Aug 6, 2014

And here I am trying everything I can to kill a plague of these stupid things.

racin2438 · Aug 6, 2014

We have some pulsating xenia's that just wont stop growing, they split off and transfer everywhere. I often have to go and remove them and get rid of them.

760mason · Aug 6, 2014

It may be a blessing. I have had to get rid of my all my xenia. It took over my tank.

BenL · Aug 6, 2014

I have always wanted to try a pulsing xenia but can never find it

leocom2000 · Aug 6, 2014

Higher temp can melt it. If it spiked even for a short time, that's what probably killed it.

WhoKnew · Aug 6, 2014

Don't kill them off. There is always someone to take them. I have tanks that I take care of in a nursing home, the residents would love that donation. What do you think?

760mason · Aug 7, 2014

leocom2000 said:
Higher temp can melt it. If it spiked even for a short time, that's what probably killed it.

High temp is the only thing that killed my Xenia. But once it cooled down it came back. Its like Kenya Tree you cant kill it. Unless you water parameters are way out of whack. Xenia are cool to look at but they become a nuisance very quickly. Take this die off as a blessing and get the remaining Xenia out of your tank. Unless you want a Xenia tank. Just my 2 cents. Long term Xenia will take over your tank smothering your other coral. There are people out there using xenia in the refugium. I would get rid of it now while you can. Or move it to the fuge.

760mason · Aug 7, 2014

WhoKnew said:
Don't kill them off. There is always someone to take them. I have tanks that I take care of in a nursing home, the residents would love that donation. What do you think?

donate them to this guy. You will be happy you did in a few years.

LegitFish · Aug 7, 2014

Pyramid butterfly works at riding them

Fish Brain · Aug 7, 2014

Check your Alk

I have found that xenia is good at telling me what my alkalinity is. When my alk gets low the xenia looks wilted and pulses slow. After I bring my alk back up, it gets big and fluffy and pulses normally.

watdachuck · Aug 8, 2014

I agree with Fish Brain. My tank is majority SPS with low bio-load (nutrients) and my Xenia grow like crazy. From what I have read in the past Alk has a lot to do with them thriving. Below are my most recent water parameters.

dbg · Aug 8, 2014

I've got the same exact problem in my tank right now... xenia and starbursts have wilted, but my mushrooms, zoas, and clove polyps all look great. I'm fairly new to coral, and when you say alkalinity, what are you referring to and how can I test/adjust it?

thanks!

watdachuck · Aug 8, 2014

Alkalinity is the buffering capacity of your water, or basically it's ability to maintain proper PH. There are test kits specific to Alkalinity and different ways to maintain the proper levels.

As my tank is heavily loaded with SPS I find the easiest way to maintain Alk is dosing Kalkwasser which adds Calcium and buffers at the same time.

This article may also help, http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php.