You will receive a specimen attached to a Frag plug. They will be similar in size, shape, and color to the stock pictures shown.
The Xenia Pumping Corals are also referred to as Pulsing Corals, or Waving Hand Corals. The eight-tentacled polyps pump, or pulse, and many scientists believe the pumping action of the polyps slowly opening and closing is designed to either dispose of gasses and waste, or collect food from the water column, or both. The amount of pumping will vary with various water parameters.
Xenia sp. corals can be very difficult to acclimate and ship. In general, cultured specimens are hardier than wild-caught species. Predatory fish (e.g., Xenia-eating angelfish), crabs, snails, or the stings of other corals may damage the colony quite easily. Therefore, provide adequate space between them and neighboring corals. They require a moderate to high light level combined with a moderate to strong water movement within the aquarium. For continued good health, they will require the addition of iodine and other trace elements to the water.
They contain the symbiotic algae zooxanthellae from which they receive the majority of their nutritional requirements. Additional weekly feedings of micro-plankton or foods designed for filter feeding invertebrates would be appreciated but are not necessary.