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Xenia (genus)
Encyclopedia
Xenia is a genus of photosynthetic soft marine
coral
resembling a mushroom
, with "arms" coming out from the top that end in many-fingered "hands". It is unique among corals because of its ability to use its "hands" to "pulse" or push water away from the colony in a constant, grabbing motion. This action is unique to Xenia species, and was once thought to be used for catching ambient plankton, but is now thought to be used for respiration.
Species in this genus propagate well with marginal care and are very suitable for beginning reef aquarium
hobbyists. Sally Lightfoot Crabs may clip arms from a Xenia, causing it to emit mucus
. This mucus will very likely induce a bacterial feeding frenzy that will kill the Xenia.
Video of pulsating xenia
Marine (ocean)
Marine is an umbrella term. As an adjective it is usually applicable to things relating to the sea or ocean, such as marine biology, marine ecology and marine geology...
coral
Coral
Corals are marine animals in class Anthozoa of phylum Cnidaria typically living in compact colonies of many identical individual "polyps". The group includes the important reef builders that inhabit tropical oceans and secrete calcium carbonate to form a hard skeleton.A coral "head" is a colony of...
resembling a mushroom
Mushroom
A mushroom is the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground on soil or on its food source. The standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus; hence the word "mushroom" is most often applied to those fungi that...
, with "arms" coming out from the top that end in many-fingered "hands". It is unique among corals because of its ability to use its "hands" to "pulse" or push water away from the colony in a constant, grabbing motion. This action is unique to Xenia species, and was once thought to be used for catching ambient plankton, but is now thought to be used for respiration.
Species in this genus propagate well with marginal care and are very suitable for beginning reef aquarium
Reef aquarium
A reef aquarium or reef tank is an marine aquarium that prominently displays live corals and other marine invertebrates as well as fish that play a role in maintaining the coral reef environment...
hobbyists. Sally Lightfoot Crabs may clip arms from a Xenia, causing it to emit mucus
Mucus
In vertebrates, mucus is a slippery secretion produced by, and covering, mucous membranes. Mucous fluid is typically produced from mucous cells found in mucous glands. Mucous cells secrete products that are rich in glycoproteins and water. Mucous fluid may also originate from mixed glands, which...
. This mucus will very likely induce a bacterial feeding frenzy that will kill the Xenia.
Video of pulsating xenia