Cespitularia

Cespitularia, sometimes called blue xenia, is a rare and sought-after soft coral related to Xenia that features a distinctive blue-grey to lavender colouration and pulsing polyps. They are more uncommon and desirable than standard Xenia, commanding higher prices when available. Place them in the mid-section of your tank under moderate PAR (75–200 PAR) with moderate flow. Standard reef parameters apply: alkalinity 7.5–9 dKH, calcium 400–440 ppm, and temperature 25–27°C. Cespitularia sit in the intermediate difficulty range — not as bulletproof as standard Xenia but still manageable for reefers with stable systems.

Cespitularia share the pulsing motion of their Xenia relatives, though the rhythm and pattern may differ between species. Their blue-grey colouration is unusual among soft corals and makes them stand out in any reef tank. Like Xenia, they can spread across rockwork, though generally at a slower and more controllable pace. They are photosynthetic and do not require target feeding, though they benefit from broadcast feeding with fine phytoplankton. Stable parameters seem more important for Cespitularia than for common Xenia — sudden swings in alkalinity or salinity can cause them to retract and sulk.

Fragging Cespitularia follows the same approach as Xenia — cut branches and attach to frag plugs or rubble. They establish reasonably well but may take longer than standard Xenia to recover and resume pulsing. Australian availability is limited compared to common Xenia, so when Cespitularia appear at local frag swaps or specialist coral retailers, they tend to sell quickly. Their unique colouration and rarity make them a prized addition to soft coral collections, and successfully growing and fragging them is a point of pride among Aussie soft coral enthusiasts.