Duncan coral
A fast-growing LPS coral with large, sea-anemone-like polyps.
Last updated
Duncan coral (Duncanopsammia axifuga) is a species of large-polyp stony coral (LPS) from the monotypic genus Duncanopsammia. It inhabits sandy and rocky seabeds in Australia and the South China Sea, typically growing in branching colonies near the foundation of the reef at depths up to 30 meters. It is notable in the aquarium trade for its relatively easy care and fast growth rate.
Scientific classification
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumCnidaria
- SubphylumAnthozoa
- ClassHexacorallia
- OrderScleractinia
- FamilyDendrophylliidae
- GenusDuncanopsammia
- SpeciesDuncanopsammia axifuga
Named by Milne-Edwards & Haime, 1848
Sources: Wikipedia taxobox: Duncanopsammia (CC BY-SA 4.0) · order, family and genus agree with WoRMS AphiaID 289843 (CC BY 4.0)
Conservation status
Least Concern (LC)
- LC▲ this species
- NT
- VU
- EN
- CR
- EW
- EX
Source: IUCN Red List assessment · GBIF copy of the Red List category
Where the duncan coral has been recorded
Each dot is a place where the species has been observed and reported (151 records, half-degree grid) — not a modelled range. 9 inland records left out (institution coordinates).
Map: drawn by Codexery. Data: GBIF occurrence search (records CC0 / CC BY) · Natural Earth basemap (public domain)
Quick Facts
- Scientific name
- Duncanopsammia axifuga
- Maximum size
- Polyp diameter 2–3 cm / 0.066–0.098 ft; corallite diameter 10–14 mm / 0.033–0.046 ft
- Distribution
- Australia and the South China Sea
- Habitat
- Sandy and rocky seabeds near the foundation of the reef, depths up to 30 m / 98 ft 5 in
- Diet
- Phytoplankton or zooplankton; can be target-fed
Facts from the source article.
Background
Duncanopsammia axifuga has large polyps with a wide, flat, circular disk that is usually light brown or green, often patterned by faint stripes. The thin tentacles are similarly colored and bear rows of stinging cells called nematocysts, producing a sticky sensation when touched. Each polyp resembles a miniature sea anemone but reaches only 2–3 cm in diameter. This coral is found in Australia and the South China Sea, inhabiting sandy and rocky seabeds near the foundation of the reef at depths up to 30 meters.
It forms colonies that branch at irregular intervals, with individual polyps having round skeletal bases (corallites) 10–14 mm in diameter. Polyps can open and contract in response to stimuli, including to move captured prey to the central mouth. The coral reproduces by separating polyps from the base of the colony.
More in Stony Corals
Elsewhere in Reef Aquarium Species
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Duncanopsammia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Classification: the source article's taxobox; order, family and genus checked against WoRMS, the World Register of Marine Species (CC BY 4.0).
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List assessment.
- Occurrence records: GBIF (CC0 / CC BY). Basemap: Natural Earth (public domain).
- Word definitions: the , each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
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