The Go-To First LPS
When it comes to a first LPS recommendation, Duncans are about as close to foolproof as it gets. They extend during the day, they feed visibly, they grow at a satisfying pace, and they're genuinely tough. A small frag can grow from a few heads to forty-plus within a couple of years.
What Duncans Look Like
Duncans are branching LPS with round, disc-shaped polyps on stalks. During the day the polyps extend fully, giving a gorgeous flowing appearance — almost like a cluster of tiny anemones. The colour range is typically greens, purples, pinks, and occasionally a nice teal.
At night or when disturbed they retract right down to the skeleton, which can look alarming but is completely normal.
Care: Properly Easy
Light: Low to moderate. 50–100 PAR is plenty. Duncans come from deeper waters originally, so they're adapted to lower light. Too much light can actually cause them to stay retracted.
Flow: Low to moderate, indirect. They should gently sway. Strong direct flow will keep them retracted.
Water parameters: Standard reef parameters. Duncans are tolerant of a range and will forgive the occasional slip — though that's not a reason to neglect them.
Temperature: 24–26°C. Standard UK reef tank territory.
Feeding: The Best Part
Duncans are absolute pigs. They'll grab mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, Reef Roids, coral pellets — pretty much anything offered. Feed 2–3 times per week with a pipette for best results.
Tip: Feed about 30 minutes after lights dim slightly. They tend to extend their feeding tentacles more in lower light.
Growth and Fragging
Duncans grow by budding new heads on branching stalks. A healthy, well-fed Duncan can add a new head every few weeks. Fragging is dead simple — the branching structure means individual stalks can be snapped or cut, glued to a plug, and they recover fast.
Placement
Mid to lower rockwork is ideal. Leave room for the colony to expand. Keep them away from aggressive corals — Duncans have relatively short sweeper tentacles and won't win battles against torches or galaxea.
Where to Find Them
Duncans are widely available and affordable. A 3–5 head frag typically runs £15–25. You can find Duncan frags from UK sellers — they ship well and settle in quickly.
How many heads has your Duncan colony reached? These things are growth machines when well-fed.
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