Heteroxenia

Heteroxenia is a soft coral closely related to Xenia that performs the same pulsing motion. Its distinctive feature is that it carries two types of polyps on top of the stalk: large feeding polyps with feathery tentacles and, between them, very small tentacle-less polyps (siphonozooids) that pump water into the colony. This second type can be seen with a magnifying glass or in a close-up photo. Colors are usually cream, beige or light brown. In the trade it is often sold mixed in with Xenia species under the names "pulsing xenia" or "pom pom xenia."

• Moderate light (about 100–200 PAR) and low to moderate, indirect flow; in strong flow the pulsing stops.
• On a separate rock in the middle zone of the rockwork; since glue does not hold on it, it is attached with a rubber band.
• Salinity 1.024–1.026, KH 7–11 dKH; avoid sudden changes and over-stripped water.
• Aquacultured colonies tolerate shipping better than wild-collected ones.
• Members of the family Xeniidae can be invasive; do not release pieces into the wild.

It meets most of its nutritional needs through photosynthesis and dissolved substances it absorbs from the water; it is not suited to taking particulate food. No supplemental feeding is needed.

Its chemical defenses are weak and it does not sting its neighbors; however, it spreads by new stalks and can grow in next to slow-growing corals. Leave 10–15 cm between it and other corals. Dwarf angelfish and butterflyfish may eat the polyps.