Notes: Xenia require moderate water currents and moderate reef lighting for proper health. It is important that adequate levels of iodine are maintained to ensure growth.
Colonies of Xenia reproduce by fission (splitting) and new stalks usually grow just above the older Xenia. Place Xenia towards the bottom of a slanted rock in the bottom half of the aquarium where they can reproduce and grow new colonies that stretch up the rock. When provided with proper water conditions and iodine colonies of Xenia can grow quite rapidly. Make sure that moderate currents will be able to supply them with necessary nutrients and trace elements. Leave several inches around the Xenia colony, they will need room as they expand their colony.
Although symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae hosted within them supply most of their nutritional requirements through photosynthesis they do require supplemental feedings. Supplementing their diet with the addition of iodine, trace elements, marine snow, phytoplankton, and food for filter feeders will help to insure their continued good health.
|