Pulsating xenid

Taxobox
name = Pulsating Xenid


image_size = 240px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Cnidaria
classis = Anthozoa
ordo = Alcyonidae
familia = Xeniidae
genus = "Heteroxenia"
species = "H. fuscescens"
binomial = "Heteroxenia fuscescens"
binomial_authority =

The Pulsating xenid ("Heteroxenia fuscescens") is a soft coral with large, feathery pinnate tentacles forming a clump up to 60cm across. Its polyp stalks are approx 5cm long, pulsating rhythmically around 40 times/ minute to create a current assisting feeding and respiration. It contains zooxanthellae.Lieske, E. and Myers, R.F. (2004) "Coral reef guide; Red Sea" London, HarperCollins ISBN 0-00-715986-2]

It lives on hard bottoms of lagoons and bays, and slopes with little current, and occurs from the Red Sea to the Indian ocean.

References