Pulsing Xenia Growth

[Jdo2010]

Hi Nano-Reef world!

 

I have had my tank since September 2017. My first coral was a pulsing Xenia I bought from my LFS. It was the size of my palm and had a little growth on it. Put it in my tank, and it just has gentrified and doubled in size. I am noticing that it has grown off of the rock that i bought it on and it is moving onto my live rock. I do know that it’s an aggressive grower and will take over, but should I start to pick off some of the pieces that grew by itself? Any ideas? I’ll attach pictures of when i bought them vs. today. Thanks all! 

[TechLobster]

It's really up to you. Some people don't want to let it get too away and expand too much. Myself, I am letting the one in my tank go wild. I bought a similar sized frag as yours was and now after 8 months it has easily quadrupled in size and split off 4 or so stalks. Everyone who sees my tank which is euphylia dominated loves the xenia the most, and I tend to agree, even though many others consider it a 'pest coral.' You can always trim it back later if it gets too big.

[Clown79]

That's what it does. All corals grow, some faster than others.

 

Xenia is a rapid grower. I've fragged mine too many times to count.

 

Pruning xenia controls it.

 

If you don't want it somewhere, then pull it off.