Xenia Fried

[washowi]

For no apparent reason. One stalk just went ballistic and collapsed and shrivled up. I cut off what I could with a knife.

What the hell went wrong? If anything...

Todd

[jesspaul]

Did it touch a button polyp? Or maybe an anglefish bit it. My Coral beauty takes a bite every so often.

[xUchiha]

i've read on forums about xenia suicides...meltdowns...etc

Basically, for no apparent reason, they jus decide to say goodbye. There were a number of people testifying to this.

Not sure how valid this is...just passing on what I remember

[sally]

Xenia is weird. I had four types of xenia in my tank for years and all of a sudden the white xenia crashed and the others remain fine. Go figure.

[RobinsonFam1]

same here. i am actually glad that it didnt grow like wildfire too though. there are 2 types of coral that no matter what they just dont survive for me and xenia is one of them.

[washowi]

So Basically. no big deal? I thought I read that they "poison the water"? For a better word.

There is plenty more of it in the tank so it is no loss to me. I was just wondering if anyone knew why they just crash?

Thanks

[sally]

Yes, basically no big deal. THey do not poison the water. Some speculate lack of nutrients is why they crash but no one really knows.

[Ray1214]

Well there are a number of reasons.

1. Sudden change in lighting. I have tested changing lighting and observed a crash, but the melted puddle (looks gooey when they crash), produced new stalks over time.
2. I believe they must have a reproductive cycle. I get a crash of some types of xenia then the next month a bunch of xenia grows out. In my 40 gal tank, I noted that about 20 percent would crash and come back every few months or so.
3. Lose the Chemical War. Hyndophilia and slimers and a few others produce chemicals that "war" for dominance on a coral reef (actually there are a bunch that does this, these are the two I have witness win the fight), I don't think xenia can handle it.
4. Lack of iodine. Without regular water changes it seemed that my iodine level would be really really low, and it seems that they shrivel the longest between changes. On the flip side they light up with a water changes.
5. Lack of nutrients. I think Calfo had written about xenia being good nutrient sumps. However most corals are smart enough to know to die off when the nutrient levels decrease and expand vice versa.
6. Fish: Some fish will bite out chunks and kill it off. this is normal for any coral.

Ray

[washowi]

1. Ok, since I never changed my lighting. I think 1 is out.
2. Iodine. I dose it twice a week. Is that 2 little?
3. I do a 10 gallon change every 7 days (in a 50 gallon tank). I would think that is plenty?
4. I am going with fish biting or just "I am toast - see ya in a couple weeks".

Thanks
Todd

[jimbeau]

Todd, are you testing for Iodine levels? I don't dose it at all...maybe your levels are high compared to the tank it came from?

[lkung]

Originally Posted by washowi

2. Iodine. I dose it twice a week. Is that 2 little?

Be careful about dosing things you don't/can't measure. While too little iodine may be dangerous for xenia/other soft corals and inhibit crustacean molting, too much iodine can wipe out your beneficial bacteria. Salifert has a good iodine test kit. Here and here are also good articles on iodine from Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine.

-leon.

[Ray1214]

Yes, be careful with iodine.

Ray

[phishschtick]

Also don't be too concerned over your loss. I had a BTA go on a rampage and kill over 25 xenia on one rock. 6 months later the xenia is growing back on that same rock. The weed continues to thrive. If you need some pink pom pom let me know.

BTW I Never dose Iodine.... it seems to bother everything.

[washowi]

So what I am hearing is forget the Iodine. Just get it with the water changes.

Todd