Xenia (genus)
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (April 2010) |
| Xenia | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Class: | Anthozoa |
| Order: | Alcyonaria |
| Family: | Xeniidae |
| Genus: | Xenia Lamarck, 1816[1] |
| Species | |
|
Xenia blumi Schenk, 1896 |
|
Xenia is a genus of photosynthetic soft marine coral resembling a mushroom, with "arms" coming out from the top that end in many-fingered "hands". It is unique among corals because of its ability to use its "hands" to "pulse" or push water away from the colony in a constant, grabbing motion. This action is unique to Xenia species, and was once thought to be used for catching ambient plankton, but is now thought to be used for respiration.[citation needed]
Species in this genus propagate well with marginal care and are very suitable for beginning reef aquarium hobbyists. Sally Lightfoot Crabs[disambiguation needed 
] may clip arms from a Xenia, causing it to emit mucus. This mucus will very likely induce a bacterial feeding frenzy that will kill the Xenia[citation needed].
[edit] References
- ^ van Ofwegen, L. (2010). "Xenia Lamarck, 1816". World Register of Marine Species. http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=204396. Retrieved 2011-12-15.
 |
This class Anthozoa related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
