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Duncan coral care and advice
Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2025 7:40 pm
by zenfox8
Hey everyone, I've had this duncan for about a month now and everything seems to be in order - the LED light is positioned towards the back of the tank and the flow isn't directly hitting it, I know they don't like too much of either. The parameters all check out too. I fed it a few days ago but over the past couple of days, I haven't seen its tentacles come out. I have noticed the cleaner shrimp pecking at it occasionally, but I don't think that's the issue, is it?
Is this normal duncan behavior or should I consider moving it to a different spot?
Re: Duncan coral care and advice
Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2025 8:35 pm
by rustyfox9
To be honest, your duncan doesn't seem too thrilled. What's your alkalinity at? I've had a similar experience when my alkalinity dropped too low by accident.
Re: Duncan coral care and advice
Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2025 8:47 pm
by rositas
I'm also fairly new to keeping duncans, and I've got mine in a similar setup - moderate flow area and mid to high up in the tank.
Re: Duncan coral care and advice
Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2025 10:45 pm
by floral9
I had a similar experience with my duncan about 2 weeks ago, it stopped opening up for 4 days straight. I didn't make any changes to the tank or bother it, just let it be, and on the 5th day it was back to normal, like nothing ever happened.
Re: Duncan coral care and advice
Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2025 12:31 am
by zenfox8
Will check the alk tomorrow, but this isn't the first time it's happened. It does this pretty regularly, and seems to come out of it after a day or 2 - almost like it's just its normal behavior.
Re: Duncan coral care and advice
Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2025 12:53 am
by finleydive
Mine seems to do alright with a moderate current, keeps things moving around it. I've got it placed mid to high in the tank, seems to work for it.
Re: Duncan coral care and advice
Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2025 2:24 am
by zenfox8
Just want to make sure it looks healthy right now.
Re: Duncan coral care and advice
Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2025 2:58 am
by talonix
+1 on the ALK. I've had a similar issue with mine. First time was due to low alk, and I corrected that. The second time, it was a hammer's proximity - it got stung. I relocated it and now it's thriving.
Re: Duncan coral care and advice
Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2025 4:57 am
by rusticore
It appears to be in good health, but it's clear it's not content. My experience with Duncans has shown me they can be quite finicky and will often close up for extended periods, even when all parameters are within an acceptable range.
I would recommend relocating it to a mid-tank position with moderate lighting. This setup has worked well for me in the past, and I'm confident it will encourage your Duncan to open up and remain that way.
Re: Duncan coral care and advice
Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2025 5:20 am
by zenfox8
rusticore wrote: ↑Sun Mar 09, 2025 4:57 am
It appears to be in good health, but it's clear it's not content. My experience with Duncans has shown me they can be quite finicky and will often close up for extended periods, even when all parameters are within an acceptable range.
I would recommend relocating it to a mid-tank position with moderate lighting. This setup has worked well for me in the past, and I'm confident it will encourage your Duncan to open up and remain that way.
Thanks for the advice.