Anthelia
Genus
A soft coral whose feathery polyps sway in flow. Similar to Xenia but with larger, always-open polyps; very hardy.
Names & Synonyms
- CommonAnthelia
- Commonアンセリア
- CommonWaving Hand Coral
Overview
Anthelia is a large-polyp soft coral with feathery tentacles that spreads over rock and sand. It resembles Xenia but does not pulse, keeping its polyps open. Hardy and prolific, it can spread rapidly under good conditions, so isolate it on a separate rock or watch for overgrowth. It readily absorbs nutrients.
Care Specifications
| Type | Soft coral |
|---|
Related corals of the same type
Leather CoralウミキノコsoftBeginnerSoft coral with large mushroom-shaped cap. Hardy and fast-growing. Periodically sheds mucus to remove old tissue.
Sinularia (Finger Leather Coral)ウミキノコモドキsoftBeginnerFinger-shaped branching soft coral. Related to leather corals and equally hardy. Cream, green, brown color varieties. Similar to Toadstool but with branching form.
Toadstool CoralカタトサカsoftBeginnerBranching soft coral that is hardy with diverse color variations. Easy to frag and propagate.
Pulsing Xeniaキサンゴ（パルスコーラル）softBeginnerUnique soft coral with pulsing polyps that rhythmically open and close. Mesmerizing movement. Hardy and proliferates quickly.
Green Star PolypグリーンスターポリプsoftBeginnerA hardy soft coral with green star-shaped polyps on a mat. Beautiful fluorescent green.
Cladiella (Colt Coral)クレナクティス（クラディエラ）softBeginnerSoft coral with soft finger-like branches. Also called Colt Coral. Very hardy and fast-growing. White and cream common. Safe choice for beginners.Related care articles
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The characteristic pulsating movements of Xenia (also called pulse corals). This practical guide explains the physiological mechanisms, correlations with feeding, water flow, and nutrient levels, display tips, and the causes and solutions for when pulsation stops.
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