Pink Duncan

Duncanopsammia axifuga

Saltwater Coral Species Group: Duncanopsammia Family: Dendrophylliidae

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Water parameters

Temp 76-80 F Temperature

Maintaining a stable and appropriate temperature is critical for the survival of aquatic life.

 pH 7.8 - 8.4 potential of Hydrogen

Measuring the acidity or alkalinity of water on a 0–14 scale, where 7 is neutral, 7 is alkaline.

 NO3 1-20 ppm Nitrate

While less toxic than ammonia, high nitrate levels (above 40–80 ppm) are important to monitor because they can cause fish stress, stunted growth, and harmful algae blooms.

 NO2 <0.0001 ppm Nitrite

It is a highly toxic, intermediate compound in the nitrogen cycle produced from broken-down ammonia

 PO4 0.01 - 0.1 ppm Phosphate

It is essential for plant development but must be managed, as excess levels trigger nuisance algae blooms and inhibit coral calcification.

 NH3 <0.1 ppm Ammonia

It is the primary killer of aquarium fish, causing gill damage, stress, and death

 Ca 380 - 450 ppm Calcium

Supporting the growth, skeletal structure, and shell formation of corals, mollusks, crustaceans, and coralline algae

 KH 8 - 12 dKH Alkalinity

It acts as a shield, neutralizing acids to prevent dangerous pH "crashes" that can harm fish, corals, and plants.

 Mg 1200 - 1400 ppm Magnesium

It enables coral growth by supporting skeletal formation, assists in metabolic processes, and ensures that calcium is available for corals, clams, and coralline algae.

 SG 1.023 - 1.026 SG Salinity

Essential for maintaining stable, natural water parameters, proper osmoregulation, and stress-free environments for marine fish and corals

 ORP 250 - 400 mV Oxidation-Reduction Potential

A higher positive mV indicates clean, oxygen-rich water with high water quality, while low readings indicate high pollution.

About Pink Duncan

General information

Duncanopsammia are tall and standing corals. They have a columnar type of exoskeleton where each of their polyp are located terminally or at the end. Each of its polyps has a single set of mouth located at the center. They can take several lifeforms and shapes over its lifetime where the bushy form is the most common.

For the Pink Duncan, they are predominatly colored yellow orange. This are the water parameters for cultivating Pink Duncan:

  • Calcium: 400 – 450 ppm
  • Alkalinity: 2.86 – 3.93 MEQ/L (8 – 11 dKH)
  • Phosphates: 0
  • Magnesium: 1200 – 1350
  • Strontium: 8 -10
  • Temperature: 72° – 78° F (22° – 26° C)
  • Salinity / Specific Gravity: 1.023 – 1.025
  • pH: 8.1 – 8.4

Diet & nutrition

Pink Duncan are classified as azooxanthellate. Meaning, they DO NOT have the symbiotic zooxanthellae that can possibly give them nourishment. With this, they get their nourishment by the absoprtion of nutirents in the water. We do recommend supplemental feeding by adding mysis and brine shrimp in the water.

Determining sex

A mature tank is highly recommended in propagating Pink Duncan. They need to be set at the bottom portion of the tank where lighting and flow rate are in moderation.

Breeding & spawning

Pink Duncan requires low lighting and moderate waterflow.

Origination

Pink Duncan can be found in the waters of the Western and Central regions of the Pacific Ocean. They are classified as a threatened species under appendix II of the CITES list, which mean that their international trade is monitored.

Acclimation process

Since Pink Duncan is a marine species, salinity must be entirely maintained at 1.023 to 1.025 specific gravity.

All photos

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