Xenia Umbellata Movement

Cole Hagood

Focus and Background

Xenia Umbellata• Soft coral• Pulsing• Movement and division

http://www.aquariumarts.com/pulsingxenia.jpeg

Research Questions1. How will the corals move in relation to the current created by a power

head?2. How strong should the currents be in order to make the corals move

most quickly?3. Are there any other trends that can be found in the movement of the

corals besides the tendency to move in the direction of the current?4. How do different water currents affect the corals reproduction/division?5. What is the most effective way to keep red algae from growing over

everything in tank A1?

Background Research • The soft coral Xenia Umbellata or commonly known as Pulsing Xenia

is a favorite among reef aquariums. Xenia tends to grow on flat structures such as the glass of a tank or live rock and require no food in order to remain healthy (Shimek 79). Water flow is also important in the health of Xenia, the pulsing of and movement of Xenia colonies is a good indicator of the corals health (Reeftime). These corals can even thrive in areas of strong current and the development of new colonies can be altered using these currents (Reefcorner). When healthy the coral divides rapidly and new colonies can appear quickly (Reeftime). This can be good when trying to grow the population of Xenia but also could be worrisome if the coral begins to overtake other marine life (Aquascapers). Xenia tends to move and grow in the direction that the current is pushing them (Reefcorner).

Hypothesis

• Both strength and direction of the water current will directly impact the movement and division of the Xenia Umbellata. The corals will move and grow the fastest when the current is very strong and pointed directly at the corals.

Research Plan

• Create effective and accurate way to pinpoint the location of the corals on the tank glass

• Manipulate power head • Observe and measure movements

Data Collection

Grid systemBefore

After

6 rows A-F and 15 columns 1-15

Example

B6 to B9

Collection

• Chose 3 colonies and recorded position daily

Final Data chart

I organized this chart with the colonies position by week instead of each day because the positions didn’t usually change daily it took a bit longer to notice a difference than I originally expected.

How will the corals move in relation to the current created by a power head?

• First 9 weeks the power head was located on the left side of the tank pointed at the back right corner (The current affecting the corals was coming from the right side of the tank to the left)

• Colony 1 started at B8 and ended at A8• Colony 2 started at C6 and ended at D4• Colony 3 started at F9 and ended at F8• For the next 7 weeks the power head was on the right side of the tank aimed to

the back left corner creating a current opposite the first current• Colony 1 went from A8 to A8.5• Colony 2 went from D4 to D4• Colony 3 went from F8 to E8.5

• This data shows that the current seems to cause the corals to move in the direction that the current is pushing them

How strong should the currents be in order to make the corals move most quickly?

• I never actually adjusted the strength of the power heads but it was possible to see the effects of various strengths by changing the way the power head was pointing

• For example pointing it directly at the Xenia or pointing it in such a way that the current wouldn’t be affecting the coral

Are there any other trends that can be found in the movement of the corals besides the tendency to move in the direction of the current?

• I realized that the corals do not move anywhere near as much as I had expected

• Current flow seemed to be the main influence on where and how the corals moved

How do different water currents affect the corals reproduction/division?

• I did not spend as much time observing the division habits of the coral

• However I did make a few interesting observations

• Size• Movement

What is the most effective way to keep red algae from growing over everything in tank A1?

•This aspect of the tank was a side project and was a constant battle•Never ending cycle of removal and re-growth

Hypothesis• Both strength and direction of the water current will directly impact the

movement and division of the Xenia Umbellata. The corals will move and grow the fastest when the current is very strong and pointed directly at the corals.

• The data which I collected supports the hypothesis in some ways but rejects it in others– Supports in regard to direction of the current (First 9 weeks vs last 7

weeks)– Rejects to an extent in regard to strength of current– Unable to determine accuracy of hypothesis in regard to division

Challenges

• Lack of movement of corals• Power head continually falling• Red algae

Further Research

• This project could be continued simply by altering the power head more frequently to get more and hopefully better data

• The grid could have been made more precise (6 by 15)

• Measuring more colonies • Movement on different surfaces

Bibliography• http://www.aquariumarts.com/pulsingxenia.jpeg

• Delgado, O., and B. Lapointe. “Nutrient-Limited Productivity of Calcareous versus Fleshy Macroalgae.” Coral Reefs 13 (1994): 151-59. Print.

• Prescott, G. W. “Rhodophyta.” The Algae: A Review. 14-15. Print.

• “Pulsating Xenia.” Reefcorner. Web. 22 Oct. 2012. <http://www.reefcorner.com/SpecimenSheets/pulsating_xenia.htm>.

• “Pulsing Xenia Profile Information.” Reeftime. Web. 22 Oct. 2012. <http://www.reeftime.com/coral-profiles/soft-corals/pulsing-xenia/200002.htm>.

• “Red Slime Algae (Cyanobacteria).” About.com. Web. 22 Oct. 2012. <http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/diatomandslimemicroalgae/a/redslimealgae.htm>.

• Shimek, Ronald. “Xenia.” Soft Corals. Marine Invertebrates. 79-80. Print.

• Suarez-Alvarez, S., Luis Gomez-Pinchetti, and G. Garcia-Reina. “Effects of Increased CO2 Levels on Growth, Photosynthesis, Ammonium Uptake and Cell Composition in the Macroalga Hypnea Spinella (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta).” Journal of Applied Phycology 24 (2012): 815-23. Print.

• “White Pom-Pom Xenia.” Aquascapers. Web. 22 Oct. 2012. <http://www.aquascapers.com/store/soft-coral/272-vargas-giant-pom-pom-xenia.html>.