At a glance the quick version
Diameter of a single polyp's disc; the tube-shaped skeleton under each polyp is 10-14 mm wide. Colonies keep branching and can become large.
Looks how to spot one
Large-polyp stony coral (LPS) with tube-shaped branches
Each polyp sits on top of a long stony tube, and the tubes fork now and then to build a branching colony. The polyp has a broad, flat round disc ringed by fine tentacles, so a group looks like a cluster of tiny anemones.12
Personality what they are like
A calm, forgiving coral that is happy low in the tank. Its tentacles carry stinging cells for catching food, so a little space from neighbouring corals is sensible.1
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A sessile coral; its tentacles stay extended around the clock and benefit from gentle water movement that carries food past them.21
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Considered an easy large-polyp stony coral. Keep water chemistry stable (reef guidance: pH about 8.2-8.6, alkalinity 7-12 dKH, calcium 400-450 ppm). Keepers propagate it by separating individual polyps from the base.13
Home where they are happiest
An established reef aquarium at about 24-27 C (75-80 F), with low to moderate light and low to moderate current. Place it low down, on the sand bed or a low rock, echoing its wild home among sandy patches.13
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Uses light through symbiotic algae and also catches plankton with its tentacles; it can be target-fed by placing phytoplankton or zooplankton foods directly onto the polyps.12
Company who they like around
A colonial coral that needs no companions; new polyps bud off as the colony grows.1
The story where it all began
The coral was scientifically described by Wells in 1936 and sits alone in its genus. Once known mainly from deeper Australian waters, it became a favourite of reef keepers thanks to its easy care and quick growth.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It is the only species in its genus, Duncanopsammia.1
- 2
Its tentacles can stay out day and night and sometimes form a carpet that hides the shape of the skeleton underneath.2
- 3
Sources give different wild depths: one says usually below 20 m, another says up to about 30 m.2
- 4
Sun corals (Tubastraea) look similar but lack the light-using algae that Duncan corals carry.2
Recognised by the official bits
- Taxonomy (Wells)
- Described by Wells in 1936; the only species in the genus Duncanopsammia.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Duncan Coral. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingDepends on species, many feed from the light and the watervaries
- Salinity checkevery week
- Water testevery week
- Top-upTop up evaporation with fresh RO water, not salt waterevery day
- Water changeAbout 10 to 20% of the waterevery 2 weeks
- Light checkevery month
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Duncanopsammia axifuga - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for taxonomy, range, size, colour, care, feeding, propagation
- Duncanopsammia axifuga - Corals of the World coralsoftheworld.orgused for colony form, corallite size, polyps, colour, habitat, depth, look-alikes
- Reef aquarium - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for general reef water parameters
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.