Green Xenia

About

Found on tropical reefs off New Caledonia in the Western Central Pacific, Xenia viridis is a sessile soft coral with a relatively limited known range compared to many of its xeniid relatives. Like other members of this family, it attaches firmly to hard substrate and extends its polyps into the water column to feed and photosynthesize with the help of its symbiotic zooxanthellae. The xeniid corals as a group are well regarded in reef keeping circles for their generally forgiving nature, and this species fits that reputation. Moderate lighting and moderate flow appear to suit it well, making it a reasonable choice for hobbyists who are still building their reef tank experience. Source data on this particular species is fairly sparse compared to the more widely distributed xeniids, so most practical aquarium knowledge comes from broader experience with the genus. In the wild it lives as part of complex reef communities, where soft corals like this one contribute to structural diversity and provide microhabitat. If you're sourcing this coral, provenance matters. New Caledonia has its own collection regulations, so knowing where your specimen actually originated is worth a conversation with your supplier.