Pulsating Xenid

The pulsating xenid (Heteroxenia fuscescens) is a species of soft coral belonging to the family Xeniidae. It was initially documented as Xenia fuscescens by Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg in 1834.

Heteroxenia fuscescens colonies consist of polyps that form large clumps measuring up to 60 centimeters (24 inches) in diameter. The polyps possess stalks approximately 5 centimeters (2.0 inches) long, each ending in a ring of eight large feathery pinnate tentacles, which is characteristic of octocorals. These polyps display a rhythmic pulsation, with around 40 pulsations per minute, moving their tentacles in a "pumping" or "pulsating" manner. The exact purpose of this pulsation remains incompletely understood, but some theories suggest that it aids in feeding, respiration, and waste disposal. Heteroxenia fuscescens also harbors zooxanthellae, obtaining a significant portion of its energy from these symbiotic organisms.

These corals inhabit hard substrates in lagoons, bays, and low-current slopes, spanning from the 🌊 Red Sea to the 🌊 Indian Ocean.