Duncan Coral (Duncanopsammia axifuga) Propagation Guide

How to propagate Duncanopsammia axifuga (Duncan coral): a branching LPS that frags easily by separating polyps from the colony, growing fast into new colonies.

Overview

Duncanopsammia axifuga, the Duncan coral, is a large-polyp stony coral in the family Dendrophylliidae. Its polyps form a structure branching at irregular intervals to build a large colony, with each polyp carrying a wide, flat, circular disc 2-3 cm across and thin whisker-like tentacles. This branching, colonial growth makes it one of the easier LPS corals to propagate.

Reproductive Mode

In aquaria the Duncan is propagated asexually by separating polyps from the colony. Because the heads branch off a shared skeletal base, individual or grouped polyps can be detached and grown out into new colonies. The species is popular partly for its relatively easy care and the fast rate at which it grows, so frags fill in quickly.

Fragging / Asexual Propagation

1. Identify branches where one or more polyps come off the colony's base.
2. Separate polyps from the base of the coral, snapping or cutting through the skeleton below a head.
3. Take frags with at least one full polyp and a piece of its own branch.
4. Glue or epoxy each frag to a plug.
5. Place frags in low to moderate flow and medium light to recover and resume growth.

Because Duncans grow fast, a frag will often add new branching heads within weeks once it settles.

Conditions for Propagation

Duncans appreciate low to moderate current that brings food to the polyps, along with medium light. Stable temperature around 24-26 degrees Celsius, pH 8.1-8.4, and steady alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium support fast skeletal growth on the new frags.

Common Challenges

Duncans are forgiving, so the main considerations are giving each frag enough flow to deliver food and feeding to fuel their quick growth. Target feeding can be supplemented by dispensing food such as mysis onto the polyps' tentacles, which speeds recovery and branching.