Green Duncan Coral

Green Duncan Coral is a branching Duncanopsammia valued for its fleshy, flower-like polyps. It is generally forgiving by stony-coral standards, but it still benefits from stable reef parameters, gradual light acclimation, and a position where the polyps can open without being hit by a direct pump stream.

Care Guide

Lighting: Use low-to-medium light, approximately 50–150 PAR. Begin at the lower end after transport and increase only after consistent extension.
Flow: Provide low-to-moderate, indirect flow. The polyps should sway gently rather than remain pinned to one side.
Placement: Secure on stable lower-to-middle rockwork with clear space around the open polyps.
Feeding: Optional but strongly beneficial for growth. Offer a small portion of mysis or finely chopped meaty food once or twice weekly.
Spacing: Relatively peaceful, but tissue contact can still cause damage. Start with 2–3 inches of clearance.

Shipping: Ships UPS Next Day Air from Key West. Current eligibility and delivery timing are shown at checkout.

CARE INFORMATION

Care Level	Beginner
Lighting	Low to Medium — 50–150 PAR
Flow	Low to Moderate — indirect; avoid a fixed jet
Placement	Stable lower-to-middle rockwork
Feeding	Optional but beneficial; small meaty foods 1–2× weekly
Aggression	Relatively peaceful — start with 2–3″ clearance
Water Parameters	Salinity 1.025–1.026 · Temperature 76–78°F · Alkalinity 8–9 dKH · Calcium 420–440 ppm · Magnesium 1300–1400 ppm

What to expect when it arrives

Duncans ship with polyps retracted into their tubes and the tentacles pulled in tight. Float the sealed bag 15 minutes, drip acclimate 30 to 45 minutes, and place it in moderate light and moderate flow. Duncans are among the faster LPS to recover from shipping and most will show partial extension the same day.

Placement and feeding

Duncans are forgiving on placement and will do well anywhere from the sand bed to the mid rockwork. They are one of the most enthusiastic feeders in the hobby — a Duncan will grab food aggressively and visibly, which makes it one of the more rewarding corals to keep and an easy one to confirm is healthy.

Feed two or three times a week with small meaty food and the growth response is dramatic. Duncans that are fed regularly split into new heads faster than almost any other LPS.

Growth and fragging

A healthy Duncan produces new heads on the periphery continuously, and a three-head frag commonly becomes eight or ten within a year when fed. Heads grow on separate stalks, which makes fragging simple: cut the stalk cleanly below the head and glue to a plug.

Compatibility

Duncans are mild and do not have long sweepers, but that means they lose to almost everything. Keep them out of reach of Euphyllia, chalices and brains. Some tangs and angels pick at extended Duncan tentacles; a colony that stays retracted with good water and flow is usually being harassed.