Duncanopsammia

Whisker coral
Colony of Duncanopsammia axifuga
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Cnidaria
Class:	Anthozoa
Order:	Scleractinia
Family:	Dendrophylliidae
Genus:	Duncanopsammia Wells, 1936 [1]
Species:	D. axifuga
Binomial name
Duncanopsammia axifuga Milne-Edwards & Haime, 1848[2]

Duncanopsammia axifuga, also commonly called whisker coral, duncanops coral, or simply duncan coral, is a type of LPS (large polyp stony) coral. It is the only species in the monotypic genus Duncanopsammia.^[1] It is similar in appearance to the elegance coral.

Habitat

Duncanopsammia axifuga inhabits sandy and rocky seabeds in Australia and the South China Sea. It can be found growing in colonies of branching or clustered individuals near the foundation of the reef.

Description

Duncanopsammia axifuga has large polyps that possess a wide, flat, circular disk that is usually brown or green in color, and is usually patterned by faint stripes or darker or lighter color. The tentacles of an average polyp are thin and are usually colored brown or green similar to the disk color. The tentacles have rows of stinging cells called nematocysts, and generally produce a sticky sensation when touched. An individual polyp resembles a miniature sea anemone, particularly the giant green anemone, although the coral's diameter can only reach a diameter of about 1 inch (2.5 cm). The polyp can open and contract depending on stimuli; for example, creating a strong current will stimulate the polyps to close, and leaving the polyp under the correct lighting and temperatures will generally encourage it to open.

Aquarium trade

Duncanopsammia axifuga is a species of coral often encountered in the aquarium trade. It has become increasingly popular due to the relatively easy care requirements for the growth of the coral and the rate at which it grows. The duncan coral generally prefers to inhabit an established reef aquarium if brought into captivity. They live in saltwater, so an artificial saltwater mix should be provided for them to live in, and they require a temperature preferably between 75 to 80 °F (24 to 27 °C). These corals, like many other LPS corals, need low to moderate lighting to photosynthesize; compact fluorescent light fixtures, metal halide lighting, T5 high output fluorescent lights, and/or ultraviolet lighting can cater for almost all corals in captivity. Duncan corals also require a low to moderate current to bring them food such as phytoplankton or zooplankton naturally. However, target feeding can be supplemented by using a tool to dispense food onto the polyp's tentacles. This coral should be placed low in the tank, preferably on the substrate or on a low-lying rock, where the coral can form a colony. Propagating this coral is achieved by separating polyps from the base of the coral.

References