Duncanopsammia Axifuga Photographed By: Brett Danner

DUNCANOPSAMMIA AXIFUGA is more commonly known as Ducan, Whisker, or Daisy Coral. This reef safe coral originates primarily from the northern parts of Australia, and is often classified as an Aussie Coral.

Contrary to the claims of some reef enthusiasts, Ducans in nature are found to be available in only one basic color, green with lavender tentacles. These colors will vary and depend on the lighting and nutrient conditions under which these creatures are housed.

The tentacles and oral disc of a duncan house zooxanthellae which is what gives this coral its color as well as a natural food source (supplemental feeding and a strong light source is still recommended but not necessary). Tentacle coloration can range from yellow, gray, green to lavender, purple, or blue while the oral disc can appear to be brown, light green, or neon green. Although the tentacles of a duncan usually start out short and stubby when first introduced into its new environment, they typically expand to long narrow tentacles that sometime splinter near the end. This expansion will largely depend on the water current in said environment, however duncans prefer low to moderate flow.

The base or stem of the Duncan has a natural slime coating and can range in color from gray, brown, to the most commonly observed green color. This slime coating primarily serves one main function, to protect the duncan from other encrusting corals.

The stem of the duncan spreads in two ways. First by branching out which is accomplished by developing a new head or polyp next to an existing one, and secondly by encrusting a solid mass around it like live rock for example. Once encrusted, the surface will form a round pimple like bulge and change color to a yellowish white until a new head develops.

 

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