Why is my Duncan Coral not opening?

Polyp retraction is usually a sign of stress. The most common culprits are excessive water flow directly hitting the coral, sudden shifts in salinity or alkalinity, or a fish/shrimp pestering the polyps.

How often should I feed my Duncan Coral?

Target feeding is not strictly mandatory if your tank is well-lit, but feeding them 1 to 3 times a week with mysis shrimp or coral pellets will significantly boost their growth rate and colour.

Can I place a Duncan Coral on the sandbed?

Yes, they naturally inhabit sandy substrates in the wild. Simply ensure the skeletal base is pushed gently into the sand to prevent it being knocked over by snails or hermits.

Does it need high light?

No, Duncans actually prefer low to moderate lighting. Exposing them to intense reef lighting too quickly can cause bleaching. Always acclimatise them by starting them low in the tank.

Will a Duncan Coral sting other corals?

Duncans are very peaceful and do not possess long sweeper tentacles. However, they can still sting if they directly touch another coral, so leave a few inches of clearance for them to expand.

MarineCoralsBeginner

Duncan Coral

Duncanopsammia axifuga

The Duncan Coral is a fleshy, large-polyp stony (LPS) coral celebrated by beginners and advanced aquarists alike for its rapid growth and captivating tentacle movement.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 24 – 27 °C
pH range: 8.1 – 8.4
Hardness: 8 – 12 dGH
Salinity: 1.024 – 1.026 SG
Adult size: 5 – 30 cm
Small reef tank: 100 litres+
Lifespan: 10 – 50 years
Diet: Photosynthetic and Carnivore
Water flow: Low to moderate
Preferred setup: Stable reef environment with secure placement on sand or lower rockwork

About the Duncan Coral

Boasting a branching, calcareous skeleton tipped with vibrant, fleshy polyps, the Duncan Coral (*Duncanopsammia axifuga*) is a quintessential addition to the home reef. Native primarily to the deeper, sandier substrates of Australia, it brings a distinct 'whisker-like' appearance to the lower regions of the aquarium. Unlike many demanding stony corals, the Duncan is incredibly resilient, making it a staple recommendation for those just starting out with LPS species.

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Is it right for your tank?

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Where Duncan Coral comes from

Native range

Indo-Pacific, Great Barrier Reef

Countries / regions

Australia, Vietnam, Indonesia

Habitat

Found in deep, sandy or muddy substrates where they form large branching colonies, often in slightly shaded or turbid areas.

Predominantly imported from sustainable sources in Australia, though aquacultured fragments are widely available.

Similar species

Sun Coral
Tubastraea sp.
Elegance Coral
Catalaphyllia jardinei

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

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Ocellaris Clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
A peaceful reef fish that generally ignores LPS corals, though it may occasionally attempt to host the long tentacles of the Duncan.
Great
Banggai Cardinalfish
Pterapogon kauderni
A highly peaceful, reef-safe fish that dwells in the water column without bothering corals.
Great
Peppermint Shrimp
Lysmata wurdemanni
While generally reef-safe, hungry shrimps may attempt to steal food directly out of the coral's mouth during target feeding.
Compatible with caution
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Centropyge bispinosa
Dwarf angelfish are notorious for occasionally deciding to nip at fleshy LPS corals like Duncans, requiring close observation.
Compatible with caution
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Chaetodon lunula
A known corallivore that will actively graze on and consume the fleshy polyps of the coral.
Not recommended

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