Description

🌿 Duncan Coral Overview

• Scientific Name: Duncanopsammia axifuga

• Common Names: Duncan Coral, Whisker Coral, Duncans

• Type: LPS Coral

• Origin: Australia, Indo-Pacific

• Appearance:

  • Round, fleshy polyps with extended tentacles surrounding a central mouth

  • Colors typically include green centers with tan, pink, or purple tentacles

  • Grows in branching colonies—new heads bud from the base of existing polyps

• Behavior: Peaceful, does not sting nearby corals aggressively

🧪 Water Parameters (Ideal Range)

💡 Lighting

• Moderate light (PAR 80–120)

• Tolerates lower light better than many LPS corals

• Can be placed lower in the tank and moved up as it acclimates

🌊 Water Flow

• Low to moderate, indirect flow

• Enough to keep detritus off but not too strong to prevent full polyp extension

🍤 Feeding

• Photosynthetic, but grows faster when fed

• Feed 1–2 times per week:

  • Mysis shrimp

  • Brine shrimp

  • Reef Roids or coral foods

• Polyps will visibly grab and consume food

🪸 Placement Tips

• Bottom to middle of the tank

• Safe near other peaceful corals

• Will expand nicely if not disturbed by high flow or aggressive neighbors

🩺 Common Issues

• Closed Polyps: Often due to too much flow, low nutrients, or pests

• Tissue Recession: Usually from unstable alkalinity or lighting shock

• Algae Overgrowth: Keep base clean and water nutrients stable

🧼 Maintenance Tips

• Stable parameters = healthy growth

• Target feed weekly for faster budding

• Regular water changes (10–15% weekly) help replenish trace elements

• Monitor for pests like flatworms or nudibranchs occasionally

Duncans are excellent for beginners and a great indicator coral—if they’re happy, your tank likely is too.