About Duncan Coral
Forgiving LPS with long, fluffy polyps. Feeds enthusiastically and grows steadily — great first-LPS coral.
Duncans are arguably the easiest LPS coral. They tolerate a wide PAR range, accept prepared foods directly into individual polyps, and reward feeding with quick growth. Avoid placing in direct intense flow — gentle waft is ideal.
Notes from the editors
What it looks like. Tubular polyps with long, fluffy tentacles that wave constantly in any current. Body color is typically a brown-to-tan with bright green or yellow centers. Each polyp grows on its own short calcified stalk, with new polyps splitting off the base.
In your tank. Arguably the easiest LPS coral in the hobby. Peaceful, no sweepers, and accepting of a wide range of parameters. Polyps remain extended day and night when conditions are stable.
Placement and care. Low-to-moderate light, gentle flow. Direct strong flow keeps polyps retracted and stunts growth. Excellent on the sandbed or low rockwork. Frequent target feeding produces visibly faster propagation.
Sourcing and feeding. Captive-propagated specimens dominate the market ($15–50 depending on polyp count). Photosynthetic but eagerly accepts target-fed mysis, brine, and small pieces of meaty food — feeding once or twice per week is the standard recommendation.
Care info is a starting point, not a guarantee. Individual specimens, water chemistry, and tankmate dynamics vary. Verify against multiple sources and adjust to what you observe. See our terms & disclaimers.
Related corals
Sources & attribution
- Taxonomy and accepted name from the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS AphiaID 289843).
- Description content adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Photo: Emőke Dénes · CC BY-SA 4.0 (via iNaturalist or Wikimedia Commons).