Xenia Umbelata - Waving Hand Coral

The Xenia Coral is also known as Pulse Coral, or Waving Hand Coral. They form stalks as they grow and reproduce. They have eight-tentacle polyps that can pump, or pulse, and many scientists believe the pumping action of the polyps slowly opening and closing is designed to dispose of gasses and waste. However, it is still unknown why these corals do pulse, and there are many water, lighting and nutrient factors involved. It is not necessarily a sign of ill health if they do cease to pulse.

They will thrive in a variety of lighting conditions, ranging from power compacts, T-5s, powerful LEDs and up to the more intense metal halides. Xenia Corals satisfy the majority of their nutritional requirements by means of photosynthetic, symbiotic zooxanthellae algae hosted within its body. While it may not require additional food to maintain its health in the reef aquarium, these frags will feed on micro-plankton or foods designed for filter-feeding invertebrates.