Xenia help

[JustPoprocks]

I have what I believe is just your general Pom Pom Xenia. I’m just wondering if it is normal for Xenia to just grow in single heads. All the ones I’ve seen online have been one base white many heads. Thanks In advance

 

[fishguy242]

hi is it poss clove polyps

 

[ScottR]

Not sure what you’re asking based on pic. Can you be more specific with a clearer pic? Definitely a xenia though.

 

[JustPoprocks]

Not sure what you’re asking based on pic. Can you be more specific with a clearer pic? Definitely a xenia though.

Sorry, so most Xenia I’ve seen is like one thick base with a bunch of polyps, mine is just a ton of thin 1”-2” stalks with one polyp.

 

[ScottR]

Sorry, so most Xenia I’ve seen is like one thick base with a bunch of polyps, mine is just a ton of thin 1”-2” stalks with one polyp.

So yours doesn’t have a thick base? I see lots of polyps in that pic you posted.

 

[JustPoprocks]

So yours doesn’t have a thick base? I see lots of polyps in that pic you posted.

this is a stock photo but see how they have one thick base and many plops but mine spread on the rock. I mean my have grown 150+ new polyps all the same base.

 

[OrionN]

You don't have Xenia, but a colony of star polyp. Xenia pulses, your's star polyps do not.
Also knows as clover star polyps, a soft coral in the Genus of Clavularia.

 

[Salt & Peper]

The base will thicken up

 

[JustPoprocks]

You don't have Xenia, but a colony of star polyp. Xenia pulses, your's star polyps do not.
Also knows as clover star polyps, a soft coral in the Genus of Clavularia.

Really think so? The polyps look almost exactly like pom pom
Sorry for the bad quality

 

[OrionN]

Really think so? The polyps look almost exactly like pom pom
Sorry for the bad quality

View attachment 1415087

You notice the key different, Xenia have one trunk with multiple heads while Anthelia have single head per stalk. Anthelia move with water movement, not pulsing like Xenia. Some of the Anthelia have polyps very similar to Xenia, while others looks more like green star polyps (Pachyclavularia sp).

 

[vetteguy53081]

White Pom Pom Xenia

 

[Bryce M.]

That's def xenia, star polyps don't look or act like that. mine form a thin skin on the rock

 

[OrionN]

OP,
Anthelia, somebody has for sale on this thread, I think the same as your coral

Anthelia frags 3 $15 a piece or for trade for a nice colorful zoa/frag im in connecticut

www.reef2reef.com

Here is one of the picture on this thread

Video of Xenia coral

 

[OrionN]

That's def xenia, star polyps don't look or act like that. mine form a thin skin on the rock

@Bryce M.
Your coral sound like a Clavularia sp. They grow in mats with polyps extended from there. The problem with common name is that these Genus (Xenia, Anthelia, Clavularia) and Heteroxenia all have somewhat of the same common name, depends on who calling them.
If anybody interested about finding the differences about these corals, all they have to do is search and read about them.

The OP's coral is definitely a coral in the Anthelia genus. I am not certain on the exact species. There are a numbers of species in each of the 4 Genus mention above. I am not good enough to ID them to the species level other than Xenia elongata.

Anthelia can retract their polyp completely into it's stalk if disturbed. Clavularia can partly retracted and formed into a little ball at the end of the stalk, while Xenia cannot retract their polyps at all, only curled up when disturbed. Heteroxenia have dimorphic, two types of polyps, thus named Heteroxenia.

Julian Sprung's book: "CORALS A Quick Reference Guide" published in 1999 mention these corals. Does not give a lot of information. However, quick search on the internet will give information on these Genus of corals in detail.

 

[ScottR]

@Bryce M.
Your coral sound like a Clavularia sp. They grow in mats with polyps extended from there. The problem with common name is that these Genus (Xenia, Anthelia, Clavularia) and Heteroxenia all have somewhat of the same common name, depends on who calling them.
If anybody interested about finding the differences about these corals, all they have to do is search and read about them.

The OP's coral is definitely a coral in the Anthelia genus. I am not certain on the exact species. There are a numbers of species in each of the 4 Genus mention above. I am not good enough to ID them to the species level other than Xenia elongata.

Anthelia can retract their polyp completely into it's stalk if disturbed. Clavularia can partly retracted and formed into a little ball at the end of the stalk, while Xenia cannot retract their polyps at all, only curled up when disturbed. Heteroxenia have dimorphic, two types of polyps, thus named Heteroxenia.

Julian Sprung's book: "CORALS A Quick Reference Guide" published in 1999 mention these corals. Does ot give a lot of information. However, quick search on the internet will give information on these Genus of corals in detail.

I recall reading that these corals have been reclassified many times and some people still call them by the improper name i.e. xenia when it is no longer classified as such. You’re right though, it is anthelia. And many people also refer to them incorrectly as xenia.

 

[Bryce M.]

@Bryce M.
Your coral sound like a Clavularia sp. They grow in mats with polyps extended from there. The problem with common name is that these Genus (Xenia, Anthelia, Clavularia) and Heteroxenia all have somewhat of the same common name, depends on who calling them.
If anybody interested about finding the differences about these corals, all they have to do is search and read about them.

The OP's coral is definitely a coral in the Anthelia genus. I am not certain on the exact species. There are a numbers of species in each of the 4 Genus mention above. I am not good enough to ID them to the species level other than Xenia elongata.

Anthelia can retract their polyp completely into it's stalk if disturbed. Clavularia can partly retracted and formed into a little ball at the end of the stalk, while Xenia cannot retract their polyps at all, only curled up when disturbed. Heteroxenia have dimorphic, two types of polyps, thus named Heteroxenia.

Julian Sprung's book: "CORALS A Quick Reference Guide" published in 1999 mention these corals. Does not give a lot of information. However, quick search on the internet will give information on these Genus of corals in detail.

oh interesting, I post to educate and learn