Cespitularia erecta is often sold as blue xenia: a soft coral with stalks topped by polyps with eight fine tentacles, ranging from pale blue to green, cream or grey. Unlike true pulsing xenia it does not pulse. It is known in the hobby as more delicate than Xenia, sometimes doing well and then declining suddenly. LiveAquaria does not list Cespitularia; the care below draws on its pom-pom xenia listing (Xenia sp.), a relative in the same family. Placement: middle of the rockwork on an isolated rock, in moderate light and medium to strong flow. Water: about 22–26 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, dKH 8–12, with iodine and trace elements. It tends to prefer stable water with some nutrients rather than very clean, nutrient-poor systems. Soft corals are not CITES-listed. Sources: LiveAquaria (liveaquaria.com/products/liveaquaria®-ccgc-aquacultured-red-sea-pom-pom-xenia-coral-1). Checked October 2026.
Diet
Mostly photosynthetic; it also absorbs dissolved nutrients. Fine filter-feeder foods may help.
Breeding
Cut stalks with scissors or a scalpel and hold them against rubble with a rubber band or mesh until they attach. It can also spread by runners.
Compatibility and tank mates
Peaceful in sting, but when it does well it can spread and overgrow neighbours, so keep it on an isolated rock. Keep space from other soft corals.
Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.
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