Cespitularia

Cespitularia is a soft coral related to Xenia and Anthelia that rises from central stalks and carries feathery polyps at their tips. Its ice-blue, silvery and green forms are especially sought after; in the trade it is sold as "blue xenia" or under producers' names. The classification of the genus is still disputed, and the colonies sold are not identified to species level. It is not as common as Xenia; some forms grow only with long stalks, while others form clusters with extensions connecting the stalks. Aquacultured colonies should be preferred.

• Moderate light (roughly 80–200 PAR); acclimate it to the light slowly to preserve its color.
• Moderate, random flow; enough to gently sway the polyps. In direct pump flow the tissue closes up or tears.
• The middle part of the rockwork. Glue does not hold; wedge the piece into a rock crevice or tie it on with a rubber band.
• KH 7–11 dKH, calcium 400–450 mg/L, salinity 1.024–1.026; parameters should be stable. It is very sensitive to copper and must not be placed in an aquarium where copper-based medications are used.

It is photosynthetic; it gets most of its nutrition from zooxanthellae. Phytoplankton or very fine coral food can support its color and growth, but this is not essential.

It does not sting its neighbors and wages no notable chemical warfare. Most forms do not spread as uncontrollably as Xenia, but it still needs an area of its own. Keep it 15 cm away from stinging LPS and fast-spreading corals. Dwarf angelfish and butterflyfish may pick at the polyps.