Duncan Coral

Care at a glance

Overview

One of the most peaceful LPS corals, Duncan has no sweeper tentacles and can be placed safely near most other corals. It is an eager feeder that responds strongly to meaty foods like mysis and coral pellets two to three times a week, which can turn a single head into ten or more within a few months. Easily propagated by separating heads.

In the wild

Duncan coral comes from deeper, often sandy areas around Australia and the northern Indian Ocean, and forms branching tubular stalks each topped with a fleshy polyp fringed by long tentacles. It is one of the most forgiving LPS and tolerates a wide light range from about 50 to 150 PAR with moderate, indirect flow. Place it on low rockwork or a middle shelf where the polyps can extend, at 24 to 27 C and pH 8.1 to 8.4.

Good to know

Duncanopsammia axifuga is the only species in its genus and, unusually for a member of family Dendrophylliidae, hosts symbiotic zooxanthellae. Colonies bud new heads readily and can grow quickly for an LPS. It does not produce sweeper tentacles.

Did you know

Well-fed Duncan colonies pump out new heads about once a month, so a single-head frag can become a crowded cluster within a year.

Related species

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  Sun Coral

  Tubastraea

  7.9 in (20 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Pagoda Cup Coral

  Turbinaria peltata

  11.8 in (30 cm)40 gal (150 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Ruffled Disc Coral

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  11.8 in (30 cm)40 gal (150 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Yellow Scroll Coral

  Turbinaria reniformis

  11.8 in (30 cm)40 gal (150 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Turbinaria Cup Coral

  Turbinaria

  13.8 in (35 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Alveopora Coral

  Alveopora

  7.9 in (20 cm)11 gal (40 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)