xenia issues

[debbie]

I was given a frag of some waving hand coral (xenia, anthelia) I think its all the same regarding growing??
Anyhow it is now shrinking and a pale whiteish color, what can I do to save this stuff and get it growing??
Tank:
3 gal pico with 9 watts 10,000 k plus 9 watts true actinic PC fixture

 

[fishkid13]

How much do you have? It could suffacte itself by growing so fast with little space. I would wait for a better reply.

 

[gratefulhippie]

Check your p.h. first. Make sure it's not to low.Also make sure you have a decent to strong flow. Other than that, they i.m.o are indestructable!

 

[aquaguy24]

IMO I wouldn't put xenias in a 3g pico. That thing can realy do some growing out of nowhere.
Anyhow, mine does this from time to time and always came looking stronger.

 

[jackri]

9w of light make me wonder if it's enough to keep Xenia alive... other than the lighting factor -- my xenia is the first to tell me something is up with my tank and needs the water parameters checked and a good water change.

 

[tang4me]

Originally Posted by Debbie
http:///forum/post/3075199
I was given a frag of some waving hand coral (xenia, anthelia) I think its all the same regarding growing??
Anyhow it is now shrinking and a pale whiteish color, what can I do to save this stuff and get it growing??
Tank:
3 gal pico with 9 watts 10,000 k plus 9 watts true actinic PC fixture

It may just be getting adjusted to your tank. Xenia can be very weird at times. I have had several colonies go through phases just like your describing. The first time it happened I thought for sure it was dying, but I was given advice not to try anything drastic and give it a few days. Sure enough after a few days it colored back up and looked great. It has gone through that cycle a couple of times. Water parameters have remained consistent.
As long as it doesn't look like it's melting I would give it a few days. Mine turned solid white and shrunk, but didn't look like it was falling apart.

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by TANG4me
http:///forum/post/3076145
It may just be getting adjusted to your tank. Xenia can be very weird at times. I have had several colonies go through phases just like your describing. The first time it happened I thought for sure it was dying, but I was given advice not to try anything drastic and give it a few days. Sure enough after a few days it colored back up and looked great. It has gone through that cycle a couple of times. Water parameters have remained consistent.
As long as it doesn't look like it's melting I would give it a few days. Mine turned solid white and shrunk, but didn't look like it was falling apart.

This is very true...the only other thing is temperature, Xenia likes cooler temps. However they adjust in time to warmer waters, it takes it a few days. So the advice stands, just leave it alone...it will do what it has to do then settle down and grow like crazy.

 

[debbie]

Thanks all for the replies. It seems to be doing alright, not as nice as the place where I got it from.
My lights are a total of 18 watts not just 9 watts
My temp is a constant 78 degrees
I will just leave it be and see what happens with it.