WHATSTHATFISH
Corals & anemones

Pulsating Xenid

Heteroxenia fuscescens

Also known as: Bush Coral, Octocoral, Pulse Coral, Pulsing Polyp Coral, Pumping Xenia, Soft Tree Coral, Waving Hand Coral

Adult
@fishx6 · Lembeh, Indonesia · August 20081 / 5
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Overview

Found growing in meadow like colonies, over coral and rocky reefs. They have 8 feathered tentacles, which open and close rhythmically up to 40 times per minute.

Most soft corals have no true skeleton and so their bodies are flexible.
Some soft corals have spikes very similar to rose thorns which may help to protect against predators.
Soft corals are food and shelter to many marine animals, some of which hide in the branches and take on the colouration of these corals.

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How to identify

Body shape
flowers

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Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-Pacific
  • Country only · 5
LIVES IN

Found growing in meadow like colonies, over coral and rocky reefs.

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Adult photos 5

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Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumCnidaria
    3. classOctocorallia
    4. orderMalacalcyonacea
    5. familyXeniidae
    6. genusHeteroxenia
    7. speciesHeteroxenia fuscescens (Ehrenberg, 1834)

    SourcesWoRMSWikipedia

    06

    More in the family

    Malacalcyonacea