Xenia
is a hardy soft marine coral easily recognized by its pulsing arms.
These are an important feature of xenia. The polyps at the end of each
arm contain a hand-like arrangement that open and close, which helps
to facilitate feeding and gas exchange. The health of xenia can be monitored
by the pulsing motion; healthy coral pulses rhythmically, while sick
xenia coral is still. If its arms are cut off, it emits mucus that causes
a bacterial feeding frenzy, killing the xenia. Growth is rapid and xenia
propagates easily, making it ideal for home aquariums. They can be silver,
light brown, or pink. Stalks will grow up three inches and polyps can
be one to two inches long. Xenia is found in the tropical Pacific and
Indian Ocean, area with strong water currents. Xenia larva will colonize
areas in the direction of the water current.