LPS
Duncan coral
Duncanopsammia axifuga
Also sold as Whisker coral
- Type
- LPS
- Care level
- Beginner
- Light
- 75 to 250 PAR (medium)
- Flow
- Medium
- With neighbours
- Peaceful
Safety: handling duncan coral
Low hazard
How do you care for duncan coral?
Placement
Low to mid rock
Flow
Moderate, indirect
Feeding
Recommended but not required; mysis or similar 2 to 3 times a week typical, check
Growth
Moderate, adds heads
Water quality
Forgiving typical, check
How much light does it need?
Sources put it at about 75 to 250 PAR, measured where the coral sits. Start a new coral at the low end and raise it over weeks.
Ranges quoted from 75 to 150 up to 150 to 250. typical, check
Which neighbours are safe?
Low
Few cm
Fish
Fish known to nip this group of corals, or small enough to be caught by it.
Take care (9)
- Lawnmower blennyLawnmower blenny may nip LPS corals, more so when underfed.
- Bicolor blennyBicolor blenny may nip LPS corals, more so when underfed.
- Tailspot blennyTailspot blenny may nip LPS corals, more so when underfed.
- Coral beautyCoral beauty may nip LPS corals, more so when underfed.
- Flame angelfishFlame angelfish may nip LPS corals, more so when underfed.
- Cherub angelfishCherub angelfish may nip LPS corals, more so when underfed.
- Foxface rabbitfishFoxface rabbitfish may nip LPS corals, more so when underfed.
- Moorish idolMoorish idol may nip LPS corals, more so when underfed.
- Copperband butterflyfishCopperband butterflyfish may nip LPS corals, more so when underfed.
Other corals
Corals that can harm this one if placed too close.
Take care (10)
- Hammer coralHammer coral stings neighbours up to about 15 cm away at night; keep the duncan coral out of reach.
- Frogspawn coralFrogspawn coral stings neighbours; keep the duncan coral out of reach.
- Torch coralTorch coral stings neighbours; keep the duncan coral out of reach.
- GalaxeaGalaxea stings neighbours up to about 15 cm away at night; keep the duncan coral out of reach.
- Horn coralHorn coral stings neighbours; keep the duncan coral out of reach.
- Fire coral (not Acropora millepora)Fire coral (not Acropora millepora) stings neighbours; keep the duncan coral out of reach.
- Bubble tip anemoneBubble tip anemone stings neighbours; keep the duncan coral out of reach.
- Mini maxiMini maxi stings neighbours; keep the duncan coral out of reach.
- Carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant)Carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the duncan coral out of reach.
- Ritteri anemoneRitteri anemone stings neighbours; keep the duncan coral out of reach.
Invertebrates
Invertebrates that may nip corals when hungry.
Take care (3)
- Emerald crabSome emerald crabs nip corals when hungry.
- Peppermint shrimpSome peppermint shrimps nip corals when hungry.
- Camel shrimpSome camel shrimps nip corals when hungry.
These checks follow the reasons fish and invertebrates clash: same species or genus, similar shape, mouth size, temperament, food, burrows, tank size and the order they are added. Individual animals differ; every source agrees on that.
Pests, dips and quarantine
Few
General dip
No dip reliably kills pest eggs, so a dip lowers the risk rather than removing it. Inspect new frags with a torch after lights out, including the underside and the plug.
Where sources disagree
| Topic | What sources say | Our reading |
|---|---|---|
| Light (PAR) |
| We give 75 to 250 PAR. Start a new coral at the low end and raise it slowly. |
Sources
Last checked . How we check
Found a mistake? Tell us how to fix it.
Related corals
Hammer coral
Fimbriaphyllia ancora (formerly Euphyllia ancora); branching forms include F. paraancora
- Care
- Intermediate
- Light
- Medium
- Flow
- Medium
- Neighbours
- Stings neighbours
Photo Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0
Frogspawn coral
Fimbriaphyllia divisa (formerly Euphyllia divisa)
- Care
- Intermediate
- Light
- Medium
- Flow
- Medium
- Neighbours
- Stings neighbours
Photo Gdiggers, CC BY-SA 3.0
Torch coral
Euphyllia glabrescens (also E. yaeyamaensis)
- Care
- Advanced
- Light
- Medium
- Flow
- Medium
- Neighbours
- Stings neighbours
Photo Josuevg, CC BY-SA 3.0
Acan
Micromussa lordhowensis (formerly Acanthastrea lordhowensis)
- Care
- Intermediate
- Light
- Low
- Flow
- Low
- Neighbours
- Spreads or stings mildly
Photo Haplochromis, CC BY 2.5