TankBud

Waving hand coral

Anthelia

Also known as Waving Hand Polyps, Fuzzy Polyps, Anthelia Polyps

SaltwaterCoral

Waving hand coral (Anthelia)
HermannSchachner · CC0

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
7.9 in
20 cm
Minimum tank
11 gal
40 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Photosynthetic
Difficulty
Beginner
Breeding
Easy
Rarity
Common
Reef safe
Reef safe
Family
Xeniidae
Origin
Indo-Pacific reefs

Overview

The waving hand coral is a sessile, mat-forming octocoral and one of the fastest colonizers among the soft corals. It is often recommended as a first coral.

Did you know

The waving hand coral is often confused with pulsing xenia at the store. The easiest way to tell them apart is that its hand-shaped polyps stay open and sway in the current. Xenia polyps rhythmically open and close instead.

Caring for the waving hand coral

Waving hand coral tolerates a wide light range but does best under low to moderate light, roughly 75 to 150 PAR. Give it medium to strong, fairly steady flow to keep its stalks swaying and clean. Place it low to mid on the rockwork, in a tank of at least 11 gal (40 L).

Keep the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) with a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. It tolerates a wider range of water conditions than most soft corals.

It relies mainly on zooxanthellae for energy and needs no target feeding. It only lightly captures fine particulate food from the water column.

It has no sweeper tentacles and will not sting neighbors. Its sheer growth rate lets it overrun slower corals, so most keepers confine it to an isolated rock or island. Leave open room around it, since an established colony is difficult to relocate.

Colonies spread by encrusting outward and by dropping small pieces that reattach and grow into new mats. A single small piece can carpet an entire rock within months.

Good to know

Anthelia is a soft coral in the family Xeniidae, the same family as pulsing xenia, Xenia elongata. Its feathery polyps stand up on long stalks to catch light and current. In the trade it also goes by waving hand polyps, fuzzy polyps or Anthelia polyps.

In the wild

The waving hand coral forms broad mats across shallow Indo-Pacific reef flats and lagoons.

Common questions

What size tank does a waving hand coral need?

A waving hand coral needs at least 11 gal (40 L).

What temperature and pH does a waving hand coral need?

A waving hand coral is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What does a waving hand coral eat?

A waving hand coral relies mainly on zooxanthellae for energy and needs no target feeding. It only lightly captures fine particulate food from the water.

How big does a waving hand coral get?

An adult waving hand coral reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).

How does a waving hand coral breed?

Waving hand coral colonies spread by encrusting outward across rock. They also drop small pieces that reattach and grow into new mats.

Related species