Why does my Booberry Duncan Coral stay closed for days after a move?

Duncanopsammia axifuga often sulks after shipping or rapid parameter shifts. Dim the lights 20–30% and increase gradually, aim for moderate, indirect flow, and keep alk/calcium stable. Check for vermetid snails irritating polyps and siphon any detritus from the cups. Offer small mysis once polyps peek out. If tissue sloughs or smells foul, perform an iodine dip and increase aeration to head off brown jelly.

Do Booberry Duncans need high PAR to keep their blue/purple tones?

No. Moderate PAR (80–150) with a blue-leaning spectrum supports fluorescence without bleaching or retraction. Keep nutrients non-zero (NO3 ~5–15 ppm, PO4 ~0.03–0.10 ppm); ultra-low nutrients often dull color and slow growth. Maintain stable alkalinity 8–9 dKH. Sudden jumps in intensity can cause tight retraction—use a light acclimation schedule and watch for lighter skirts as an early warning.

My colony grows tall and shades lower heads—how can I guide the shape?

Trim topmost branches periodically and rotate the colony weekly to balance light exposure. Angle cross-flow so it wraps around the colony, clearing detritus from inner cups. Target feed shaded heads to encourage splitting lower on the skeleton. Mount on a ledge or island so branches can expand radially rather than stacking upward, reducing self-shading while keeping the base ventilated.

Are clowns or nearby corals a problem for Booberry Duncans?

Short sweepers limit reach, but the sting can irritate softies; leave 2–3 inches of space. Avoid placement near aggressive LPS (e.g., galaxea, torches) that can outcompete it. Persistent clownfish hosting may keep polyps retracted and lead to recession; redirect clowns with a surrogate (e.g., large toadstool) or move the Duncan. Watch for vermetid webs and relocate if filament nets settle on the polyps.

TSA Booberry Duncan Coral

Beginner Corals LPS Duncan

Overview

Booberry Duncan Coral shows round, fleshy polyps with long, tubular tentacles on branching heads. Scientifically Duncanopsammia axifuga, it is a large-polyp stony coral with a branching skeleton that prefers moderate light and low to moderate flow. It hosts symbiotic algae for most nutrition but benefits from occasional small meaty feedings to support growth and color. Place on a stable rock with room to expand, and avoid strong flow or aggressive neighbors that may trigger stinging.

Quick Facts

Care Easy

Lighting Moderate

Flow Moderate

Placement Low–Mid

Temperament Peaceful (short sweepers; 2–3 inches spacing)

Recommended Parameters

Temp 76–80°F

pH 8.1–8.4

Salinity 1.025–1.026

Calcium 400–450 ppm

AlkAlkalinity 8–10 dKH

Magnesium 1280–1350 ppm

Feeding photosynthetic, mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, chopped krill, copepods, zooplankton, microplankton, coral-specific foods, finely minced seafood

Care & Placement

Booberry Duncan Coral (Duncanopsammia axifuga) thrives with stable, moderate conditions and regular feeding. Provide moderate light (PAR ~80–150); start low and increase over a week to prevent bleaching. Flow should be moderate and indirect—enough to keep detritus off the polyps without whipping the tissue. Target feed 1–3 times weekly with mysis, small krill, or fine coral foods; feed after lights down when tentacles extend for best capture. Keep temperature 76–80°F, salinity 1.025–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, alkalinity 8–9.5 dKH, calcium 400–450 ppm, magnesium 1250–1350 ppm, nitrate 2–15 ppm, phosphate 0.03–0.10 ppm. Test weekly with reliable kits; watch for salinity swings and alkalinity drops, which often trigger tissue recession. Place low to mid in the tank on a stable rock ledge or sandbed with the skeleton lifted slightly to avoid abrasion. Allow 3–4 inches of space; sweepers are short, but it can sting immediate neighbors. Generally peaceful and mixes well with other LPS/softies; avoid aggressive corals with long sweepers and nippy fish that pick at polyps.Acclimate with a 30–45 minute drip and light acclimation via shade or screen. If polyps remain closed, check flow direction, pests, and recent parameter changes. Pale tissue suggests too much light or low nutrients; brown jelly or rapid recession calls for fragging away healthy heads and improving flow. Stable parameters, moderate flow, and consistent feeding drive steady growth and strong polyp extension.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About the TSA Booberry Duncan Coral

Why does my Booberry Duncan Coral stay closed for days after a move?

Duncanopsammia axifuga often sulks after shipping or rapid parameter shifts. Dim the lights 20–30% and increase gradually, aim for moderate, indirect flow, and keep alk/calcium stable. Check for vermetid snails irritating polyps and siphon any detritus from the cups. Offer small mysis once polyps peek out. If tissue sloughs or smells foul, perform an iodine dip and increase aeration to head off brown jelly.
Do Booberry Duncans need high PAR to keep their blue/purple tones?

No. Moderate PAR (80–150) with a blue-leaning spectrum supports fluorescence without bleaching or retraction. Keep nutrients non-zero (NO3 ~5–15 ppm, PO4 ~0.03–0.10 ppm); ultra-low nutrients often dull color and slow growth. Maintain stable alkalinity 8–9 dKH. Sudden jumps in intensity can cause tight retraction—use a light acclimation schedule and watch for lighter skirts as an early warning.
My colony grows tall and shades lower heads—how can I guide the shape?

Trim topmost branches periodically and rotate the colony weekly to balance light exposure. Angle cross-flow so it wraps around the colony, clearing detritus from inner cups. Target feed shaded heads to encourage splitting lower on the skeleton. Mount on a ledge or island so branches can expand radially rather than stacking upward, reducing self-shading while keeping the base ventilated.
Are clowns or nearby corals a problem for Booberry Duncans?

Short sweepers limit reach, but the sting can irritate softies; leave 2–3 inches of space. Avoid placement near aggressive LPS (e.g., galaxea, torches) that can outcompete it. Persistent clownfish hosting may keep polyps retracted and lead to recession; redirect clowns with a surrogate (e.g., large toadstool) or move the Duncan. Watch for vermetid webs and relocate if filament nets settle on the polyps.

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