Re: Two (simple I hope) questions): Low-light Corals needing High Light and Niger Trigger/Clownfish Buddies! Now Xenia repro. 1/15/09
Thanks Bob! And love your book, "TCMA". It's my aquatic bible.
As always, one more thing I thought of:
A new rather sizable piece of xenia I rubber-banded to a piece of rubble, split in two and one of the stalks has attached itself to a medium sized turbo snail. The snail is not attempting to eat it or otherwise. It is safely atop the snail. I did not know xenia were motile - at least as much as this?!
<Heee! Is fine... will very likely continue to asexually "frag", get, go elsewhere>
Obviously, I cannot control flow and light intensity as the xenia rides around the tank. Shall I leave it alone or remove it.
<I would definitely leave it as is... Will probably be fine, persist, and make for interesting observation, conversation/sharing>
It does close up when the snail gets very high in the tank - closer to the MH. I just don't want it to "bake". It has seemed fine, though and the snail eventually moves.
Is it safer to remove the snail-riding xenia, or leave it alone?
<The latter>
Thanks!
Aleasha : )
(In frigid Baltimore, wishing I was where you are).
<It is very nice this time of year here... Mostly 70's, 80's F... the water still warm, clearer than during most of the summer. Cheers, BobF>

Fragging Xenia 5/8/08
Hi everybody, hope everybody doing great!
<I am on my end, thanks!>
Things are going good here just a quick question.
My pulsating xenia corals are growing like crazy, so I decided to try my hand at fragging them and sharing them with others.
<Xenia will go crazy, selling off or trading is a good option, or giving it away outright.>
So I did some research and found some videos on line.
Most said to cut a head off with sharp scissors put it in between your fingers and cut it in half ,and then in half again so I did that and then put it on a plug bottom side down wrap it with bridle veal put a rubber band on it and put it back in the tank.
<This is one way to propagate xenia.>
O.K., so for so good, I did this a couple of days ago. And they look ok I guess, a little purple but the poor thinks have been cut into little pieces.
<They will look this way for a while.>
So how long does it take before they attach themselves to the plugs?
<A few days, a week tops in a system suitable for them.>
And some of the little polyps are sticking through the Vail, what's to keep them from pulling off as I try to take the Vail off?
<This is the tricky part, actually suturing the pieces onto a plug/rock or even just placing small rocks next to the colony to grow onto are easier options. If you plan on propagating many Xenia or other corals I highly suggest Anthony Calfo’s “Book of Coral Propagation”. Otherwise do check [this page] regarding the other methods mentioned. Good luck, Scott V.>

Propagating Anthelia
I have read all of you articles on propagating xenia but I am still unsure how to go about propagating anthelia. Because it attaches to the
rock in clusters I am unsure where to "cut" it. Any help would be very much appreciated. <The absolute simplest way to propagate anthelia is to put small pieces of live rock surrounding the site and simply watch it multiply. Healthy anthelia will spread, in my experience, quite easily. You can also cut the groupings off but you are dealing with some nasty stuff when you cut it. Truthfully it will propagate itself quite easily and I'm a big proponent of not cutting into your corals unless its necessary. I have been propagating corals now for many years and help put on demonstrations at IMAC and at MACNA. We don't usually use either anthelia or xenia at these demonstrations because they sometimes don't ship well and when they do, if you try to propagate them you can have some problems with contamination in the tanks.>  <Good luck Ed. Just scatter the pieces of rock you'll be absolutely amazed. MacL>
Ed Schmittou

Brain (coral) frags, xenia repro.  - 04/19/06
Hello,
    I was wondering if it was possible, or how to, frag a brain coral.
<Can be scored, cut with a chisel et al., but best cut with a power tool that is securely mounted... a "wet-saw" for cutting tile, or a band-saw is most often employed here>
Also, once xenia starts growing all over the same rock, is it normal for it to sort of grow taller as it fights for position, the last time it started getting taller was because a bulb had burned out and they needed more light, I think.
<Happens>
I checked and all the bulbs are good and since the last burn out I have even got a new lighting system that adds about 55 watts more, they are reproducing like crazy, and fully opened all day and most of the night, so I don't think they are unhappy, but when I first got them they were shorter.  Is it because there is almost 10x the amount now versus when I bought them?   Thank you for your time.
<Maybe. Please see WWM re cnidarian culture: http://wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/index.htm
Bob Fenner>

Colt Coral Reproduction 12-06-05
Hi crew,
<Hello>
I have a Colt coral that is reproducing.
<Great job!!!>
Can you give me any tips on how to save the branches as they fall off?
<You can cut and collect them. Just use a razor blade or sharp scissors.>
I have about 5 that are ready to drop. I'm afraid I won't find them if they fall when I'm not around. I have very good current in my 55 gal. I was thinking about turning off the pumps and hope the fall where I can see them? Any help?
<As is said above, just cut them and collect them. I would then place the frags in a bowl with some rubble or use one of the many ways to attach them to some live rock that you will find in Anthony's book or on the net.>
Anthony, Just order your book Coral Prop. 1 from That Fish Place in PA.
<I will say thank you for Anthony. Enjoy that book, it is a great read and a must have.>
Thanks, Tom
<Glad to help, Travis>

Shipping Xenia 7.23.05
Hi to everyone and good day.
<Cheers>
I know Xenia isn't the easiest of corals to ship. Giving this to account what would be the proper way to go about this
with the least amount of mortality?  Thanks in advance, Candy
<It's rather simple my friend. Once established, most in this Family (Xeniidae) are not only hardy, but fast-growing. To ship and share these corals successfully, the key is to avoid handling living tissue... and to prevent the coral from repetitive contact with the walls of the shipping bag/container. Either stimulates the coral to produce mucus which is sometimes fatal in shipping (excess mucus invites potentially pathogenic bacteria to flourish). The easiest way to ship Xenia is to make a Styrofoam raft that is larger than the widest span of the specimen (footprint of base or spread of colony branches). Mount the coral upside down on this raft (rubberband the rock base to the Styro). In this fashion, coral tissue can practically never touch a vessel side wall. Best regards, Anthony>

Propagating Xenia 2/7/05
Great site to share a wealth of information. We really appreciate your dedication!
<Thanks kindly>
I have a question about propagating Xenia. I understand the rubble tray propagation process. Perfect for Sarco's and other softies. But what about Xenia? 
<Equally good... I used this method with cups of rubble in my coral farming greenhouse for many years>
I've seen discussions about bridal veil and rubber bands. Both seem to be time consuming. 
<Yes... far too tedious for me>
What's the best way? 
<Natural settlement for larger quantities>
Also, how many stalks per "rock" is acceptable if wishing to sell them?
<Varies per market and price... a single large stalk is worth about $5-8, several stalks on a baseball sized piece of live rock my be wroth $12-20 wholesale. Retail prices are 2-4X>
Thanks, Jerry
<Best of luck! Anthony>