Duncanopsammia axifuga

(Milne Edwards & Haime, 1848)

Whisker Coral, Duncan Coral

Range: Western Pacific Ocean: Northern Australia.

Natural Environment: Inhabits fairly deep sandy areas attached to hard substrates and usually seen at depths over 65 feet (20 m).

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade.

This is a non-photosynthetic, non-reef building stony coral/does not contain zooxanthellae.

Best placed in a shaded area, where there is fairly good current flow, nevertheless, where access to it is easy as it 'must' be hand fed, usually twice weekly to remain healthy.

When its feeding tentacles are displayed, meaty foods such as fortified brine shrimp, mysis, small pieces of marine fish/shrimp flesh, and/or products containing Cyclop-eeze or similar type products should be placed upon the polyp tentacles. Even though its feeding tentacles are usually only displayed at night, it will sometimes display them during daylight hours if it senses food entering the aquarium. I have often used a freeze-dried krill squished between my fingertips in the aquarium water to bring forth its feeding tentacles.

In aquariums containing cleaner shrimp, I would have to place a temporary screen mesh over the opening where the coral was placed to keep the shrimp from pulling tasty morsels out of the polyp until they were fully engulfed by the polyp!

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Anthozoa

Subclass: Hexacorallia

Order: Scleractinia

Family: Dendrophylliidae

Genus: Duncanopsammia

FYI: Cultured specimens exist in the trade.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Diet: Carnivore/Plankton Feeder

Temperament: Peaceful

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe: With caution

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Hardiness: Moderate

Calcium (Ca): 380 - 430 mg/l

Alkalinity: 2.5 - 3.0 meq/l

Phosphate (PO4): <0.05 mg/l

Magnesium (Mg): approx. 1350 mg/l (relate to specific gravity)

Strontium (Sr) 8 - 10 mg/l

Temperature Range: 74 - 83°F (23 - 28°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Lighting: PAR 150+

Water Movement: WM 1 - 2

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4

Iodine/Trace Elements Monitor/as necessary to maintain quality seawater.