The pulsating xenid (Heteroxenia fuscescens) is a species of soft coral in the family Xeniidae.

[1][2] The polyps of Heteroxenia fuscescens grow to form large clumping colonies up to 60 centimetres (24 in) across.

Some hypotheses include creating a current to assist feeding, respiration, and helping to dispose of waste and detritus.

[3] These corals live on hard bottoms of lagoons and bays, and slopes with little current, and occurs from the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean.

This species, along with most other xeniids, are prized in the aquarium hobby for the rhythmic "pumping" of the polyps, and the ease of reproduction.