Re Strange Happenings/Xenia Health 10/16/10 - 12/7/10
Hello me again
<Hello Dave>
with another Xenia issue which just occurred yesterday, two small Xenia plants <plants?> separated from the rest of the larger group was doing fine with some others, however yesterday morning they just died, like dead, they shriveled up and the crabs are picking at them, not sure what occurred??
<Mmm, read original thread again.>
The ones that died were right beside others and they appear to be ok today, the rest of the main coral bunch appears to be fine, is there something I can do to ensure this does not happen to the other corals?? The salt I have adjusted after your last recommendations to 1.21
<Mmm, I recall suggesting 1.024-1.025, look below to original thread.>
and this has help them to appear to be growing and thriving, I am doing water changes every week about 5 - 10 gallons and have charcoal bags hanging in the sump changing every 2 weeks, I am also feeding them by syringe small doses of shrimp and they look like they are digesting them.
<Will not eat particle foods. I would discontinue the use of carbon, see if that improves the health of your remaining colonies. It has been said that Xeniids depend very heavily on dissolved organic compounds as they are found in areas of high nutrient levels. The use of carbon will remove a large percentage of DOCs thus lowering their food supply. Overdosing of iodide/iodine will/can also cause problems with Xeniids. May want to read the FAQs found in the header on various Xeniid topics.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/xeniidarts.htm>
Thanks for your time
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>Feeding Xenia can you be specific about foods for these animals ? <yep... they cannot be fed organismally (particles)... they have diminished feeding mechanisms/structures. They are believed to be almost fully autotrophic (photosynthetic). What little they are suspected of eating is by absorption. Most tanks are not so well skimmed that there is inevitably enough dissolved organics to feed Xenia. Rest easy, my friend... good light and water quality is enough to grow this beautiful weed <smile>. With kind regards, Anthony> TIA Dave 

Feeding Xeniid contradiction... are photosynthetic    4/4/06 Hi Bob, I was doing some reading on Xeniids and feeding and I think I came across a contradiction... one response says they are photosynthetic, but your post says they are not...see the below Please advise as I'm trying to figure out what to feed... :)    Thanks Lee Feeding Xenia can you be specific about foods for these animals ? <yep... they cannot be fed organismally (particles)... they have diminished feeding mechanisms/structures. They are believed to be almost fully autotrophic (photosynthetic). What little they are suspected of eating is by absorption. Most tanks are not so well skimmed that there is inevitably enough dissolved organics to feed Xenia. Rest easy, my friend... good light and water quality is enough to grow this beautiful weed <smile>. With kind regards, Anthony> TIA Dave Hope this finds you well amidst all the recent chaos. <Yes my friend, thank you> Quick lighting question. Am trying to isolate causes for my xenia not pumping, am thinking it may be lighting. <Hmm, unlikely... as you likely know these soft corals are not photosynthetic> I have a 60 gallon, 20 inch deep tank, with 130 gallons in blue/white pc lighting. I am also keeping a derasa clam, and hope to acquire a toadstool and other leathers as well (no hard corals planned). Is my lighting enough? Is it worth the $300 to upgrade to a 220 pc watt for the animals I hope to keep? <For the other animals yes. Look to alkalinity, biomineral, iodide deficiency, testing, augmentation for your Xeniids though. Bob Fenner> Cheers, Javier <Yes to Xeniids being photosynthetic... will try to find/place this message next to the above. Thank you for this. Bob Fenner>