Indeed, you need to feed often as well as spot feeding
I had that coral when I had soft coral tanks and I would still love to have that coral, but no longer if im heading in the type of tanks im too have soon.
We bought the Orange sun polyp...had it for about 5 days and took it back cause it wouldn't eat. Lfs trained it to eat with "reef roids" so we got it back. Now at feeding time everyday we sprinkle reef roids on all the polyps with all pumps turned off. Then 2-3 hours later(pumps have been turned back on of course)it expands it's tentacles so we feed each tube a couple pcs of mysis. I do have to say that I hate how it is a more evening active peice of coral but all the same it is pretty, but a lot of work...
Also we have it at the top of the tank for easier access to feed and it doesn't seem to mind since it is more active after lights out anyway...
Xenia, ironically, is a tougher coral to keep. I disrupted my sandbed recently, and have had all sorts of nitrate problems, and my xenia is the only coral that shows any effect.
And this where I point out yet agian how individual species differ from the norm. My Xenia has been sucked up a filter (twice!) gone through high phosphates, high nitrAtes and a massive ammonia spike and the **** thing is still growing - FAST. Out of all the corals I've had this has been the easiest to keep! Just goes to show you there is always an exception to the rule!!!
so spot feeding with shrimp on my sun coral is a good call. Thanks, I also got some more corals, a green button polyp, red zoanthids and plyhoa coral.
The xenia fell over a few times and when i picked it up it started spitting a brownish mucus out. I got my hand out asap after that. The 3 new corals are looking solid already but the xenia is still struggling. I am taking my whole tank apart tommorow so i will post a new pic when it is all done.
And this where I point out yet agian how individual species differ from the norm. My Xenia has been sucked up a filter (twice!) gone through high phosphates, high nitrAtes and a massive ammonia spike and the **** thing is still growing - FAST. Out of all the corals I've had this has been the easiest to keep! Just goes to show you there is always an exception to the rule!!!
xenia love muck and dirt(nitrates and phosphates) they can take gradual changes and slow spikes...like u said some can even do well in drastic spikes. worts change for xenia is ph and temp. they are great for absorbing phosphates as well better than macro algae.
soon.
