Duncan corals care guide for beginners

Hello, future reef enthusiasts! So, you have decided to keep fish in the reef therefore, Duncan corals have attracted your attention. 

A wonderful time indeed is in store for you! Apart from their beauty, these remarkable creatures are excellent for starters.

This post will inform you of every aspect of taking care of Duncan corals, from establishing their new environment to ensuring that they stay joyous and fit for many years ahead.

What Are Duncan Corals?

Before getting into the specifics of care, we should bring ourselves to the star of our show. Duncan corals, or Duncanopsammia axifuga in scientific terms are large polyp stony (LPS) corals. 

These corals are typical for their electric colorations and along with the Indo-Pacific region, they make a good name.

In your imagination, imagine a group of fleshy and movable tentacles that go around a center – mouth, and they usually appear in color like green, pink, or purple. 

The coastal calmness is often attributed to its solid calcareous skeleton, which is why corals have the Duncan character. Underwater floral plants made visible!

Why Choose Duncan Corals?

Now, you might be wondering, “Why should I start with Duncan corals?” Well, my friend, there are plenty of reasons:

1. Beginner-friendly: Duncan corals are resilient creatures. They are forgiving of slight errors in aquatic composition and illumination, which is why they are suitable for beginners.
2. Fast growers: If you take care of them well, they will grow fast in such a way that it encourages you to feel like an achiever when you watch your reef bloom.
3. Low aggression: Duncan corals mostly get along with others, meaning you don’t have to fret over them being rude to other corals in your aquarium.
4. Stunning appearance: Let’s admit, these colorful corals are stunning. They will give your tank beauty with their colors and designs.
   

Setting Up Your Duncan Coral’s New Home

Having gone through the fundamentals, we can now dive directly into the matter at hand. It’s advisable to have a suitable environment for their growth and persistence in life. 

Here are the essential things that you must always keep in mind

Tank Size

For Duncan corals to flourish, they don’t have to have a huge tank. It is possible to keep them in a nano reef tank which has a minimum capacity of 20 gallons. 

But big aquariums are always preferable because they create more consistent water environments As such, if you intend to house more than one type of coral or several fish in the same tank, go for one which can hold 50 gallons or more.

Water Parameters

Here’s where things get a bit technical, but don’t worry – we’ll keep it simple:

• Temperature: 72-78°F (22-26°C)
• Salinity: 1.023-1.025 specific gravity
• pH: 8.1-8.4
• Alkalinity: 8-12 dKH
• Calcium: 400-450 ppm
• Magnesium: 1250-1350 ppm
• Nitrates: < 10 ppm
• Phosphates: < 0.05 ppm

You will get used to such sentences before you know them because they seem to be scary embodiments at first sight, but then regular testing and proper maintenance will eventually help you understand them.

Light

Duncan corals are easy to grow and don’t mind bright lights; therefore, they make wonderful choices if you are new to coral farming. 

These types of corals thrive in low and medium lights. In case you are using LED lamps, adequate PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) should be between 50-100PAR. 

For anyone who is just starting, this is approximately said as “not too bright nor too dim“

Flow

Moderate water circulation is what these corals favor most. Rather than comparing it to a gusty wind, consider it more of a subtle breeze blown by the air. 

Conversely, lack of movement might make them unfit for survival due to deposition on their surface that may eventually poison them.

Placement

The Duncan corals can thrive in the middle to lower parts of your aquarium. Direct and bright light is not what they prefer, so avoid putting them up high. 

They need some room for growth because they have the potential to make great colonies in the future.

Feeding Your Duncan Coral: Yes, They Eat!

Duncan corals are arguably the most fascinating corals of all. Unlike most corals, which rely mainly on their symbiotic algae for sustenance, Duncan corals never feel ashamed to eat anything. 

Sometimes, Duncan corals require a good meal. These tips will give you pointers on how to care for these always-starving buddies.

What to Feed

Duncan corals have a pretty diverse palate. They enjoy:

• Mysis shrimp
• Brine shrimp
• Finely chopped seafood (like fish or shrimp)
• Coral-specific foods available at pet stores

You should strive to feed your Duncan corals two to three times weekly. Keep in mind that they also receive nutrients from the zooxanthellae, so do not excessively feed them.

Feeding Time

In the evening, your corals should be fed as their filaments are wide open. At last, they are most prepared to take some food!

How to Feed:

• Use a turkey baster or pipette to target-feed your coral.
• Gently squirt the food near the coral’s mouth and tentacles.
• Watch as the coral grabs the food – it’s pretty fascinating!
• Remove any uneaten food after about 15 minutes to keep your water clean.

Maintaining Tips for Duncan Coral

Alright, we’ve set up the perfect home and our feeding our Duncan coral like a pro. Now, let’s talk about keeping things running smoothly in the long run.

Regular Water Changes

Water changes can be compared to spring cleaning for your tank. It is recommended that you change about 10-20% of the water in your tank every two weeks. 

In this manner, waste materials that have accumulated over time can be eliminated and essential minerals added back.

Testing Water Parameters

Have a nice test kit around and at least analyze your water parameters once a week

Special emphasis should be placed on alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium levels as they are very important for coral growth.

Dealing with Algae

Algae aren’t that bad in moderation; however excessive amounts may cause some issues as they tend to suffocate corals eventually. 

To get rid of algae found growing on your Duncan’s coral, simply use a toothbrush or transfer some water flow closer to this coral itself since this helps in disturbing them from their position allowing one to remove them easily.

Fragging and Propagation

As your Duncan coral grows, you might want to try your hand at fragging (coral reproduction). It’s easier than it sounds! Here’s a quick rundown.

• Choose a healthy branch or section of your coral.
• Using a sharp, clean tool, carefully cut the section you want to propagate.
• Attach the new frag to a small piece of live rock or a frag plug using coral glue.
• Place the new frag in a low-flow area of your tank to heal.

Congratulations! We’ve just created a new coral colony.

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Wrapping Up

Don’t get discouraged if things don’t go perfectly at first. Reef-keeping is a learning process, and even experienced aquarists face challenges. 

The key is to stay informed, be patient, and enjoy the journey.

Duncan corals are an excellent choice for beginners who want to try their hand at reef-keeping, in part due to their stunning looks, low maintenance needs, and rapid growth.

It is only after some time passes that they develop a greater affinity for this captivating endeavor.

So go ahead, set up that tank, and give Duncan Coral Care a try. 

Before you know it, you’ll be watching your very own underwater garden flourish, filled with the mesmerizing sway of Duncan coral tentacles. Trust me, there’s nothing quite like it!