Techno-Vicki
Well-Known Member
I have waited over a year to get my parent crop of Cespitularia, “Blue Xenia”. I finally have them. I am presenting several pictures of them so that anyone who decides they would like one understand: what they are, what they need; and what they look like. When they first arrive, they will be stress and not achieve the ‘glow’ that they are known for.
Two factors that are very important for these beautiful corals are the lighting and flow. If they have too much flow (laminar), they will stress and decline; if they have too little light, they will stress and decline. Below is an excerpt fro “Reef Keeping magazine”
For many discriminating reef aquarists, specimens of Cespitularia have been some of the most sought after corals of any kind. The reasons for their allure are many, and among Xeniids they have some of the best of all desirable attributes in the family (re: rarity, color, visage). They have a "look" (morphology) that is distinguished and unique. In gross form they resemble stalked Xenia with a size and structure inclined to grow rather larger than Xenia. ..I dare not even say "color," because their overall look is one of translucent and oft-stunning, iridescent quality - making quite an impression on aquarists! New imports and stressed individuals will lack bright color or any significant opalescent quality, but once established under quality lamps or natural sunlight, they take on a remarkable appearance.. due to the tiny calcareous sclerites, which appear to reflect light and make the coral sparkle or glitter. Colors range from subtle tan and peach hues with green tinged polyps to stellar, solid blue and green colonies. Inspecting Cespitularia in the aquarium at night with a flashlight reveals a metallic silver appearance. Alas, photographs capture very little of the ethereal qualities of these corals and aquarists must see them in the flesh to truly appreciate them. The few fragments that enter the aquarium trade have been cited as hailing from Indonesia or East Africa. They are further observed to favor shallow and wave-protected environments. In aquaria, provide them with bright light and moderate, random turbulent or surging water flow… avoid laminar water motion.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-02/ac/feature/index.php
I have attached several pictures of my parent crop hoping to give a true representation of the coral. It is with flash that the iridescent quality appears.
1. parent with flash on
2. parent with flash off
3. close up flash on day
4. close up flash on night
5. Top of tank view
Two factors that are very important for these beautiful corals are the lighting and flow. If they have too much flow (laminar), they will stress and decline; if they have too little light, they will stress and decline. Below is an excerpt fro “Reef Keeping magazine”
For many discriminating reef aquarists, specimens of Cespitularia have been some of the most sought after corals of any kind. The reasons for their allure are many, and among Xeniids they have some of the best of all desirable attributes in the family (re: rarity, color, visage). They have a "look" (morphology) that is distinguished and unique. In gross form they resemble stalked Xenia with a size and structure inclined to grow rather larger than Xenia. ..I dare not even say "color," because their overall look is one of translucent and oft-stunning, iridescent quality - making quite an impression on aquarists! New imports and stressed individuals will lack bright color or any significant opalescent quality, but once established under quality lamps or natural sunlight, they take on a remarkable appearance.. due to the tiny calcareous sclerites, which appear to reflect light and make the coral sparkle or glitter. Colors range from subtle tan and peach hues with green tinged polyps to stellar, solid blue and green colonies. Inspecting Cespitularia in the aquarium at night with a flashlight reveals a metallic silver appearance. Alas, photographs capture very little of the ethereal qualities of these corals and aquarists must see them in the flesh to truly appreciate them. The few fragments that enter the aquarium trade have been cited as hailing from Indonesia or East Africa. They are further observed to favor shallow and wave-protected environments. In aquaria, provide them with bright light and moderate, random turbulent or surging water flow… avoid laminar water motion.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-02/ac/feature/index.php
I have attached several pictures of my parent crop hoping to give a true representation of the coral. It is with flash that the iridescent quality appears.
1. parent with flash on
2. parent with flash off
3. close up flash on day
4. close up flash on night
5. Top of tank view
