Duncan lps branching coral

[didz04]

Hi
Do you know how I can get a branching sort of look from these corals likes these? I really like the effect they give off when they grow like that...

..because some as shown below grow all close together.

Can it come down to the position of the coral like placing them in a lower lit area so thats why they branch out like that to get more light?..or are there different types of Duncan species and some branch out more than others?


Thanks

 

[didz04]

BTW this is a picture of mine that is recently growing 2 new heads
I'd like to know how to get it to grow extended branches now before the new heads start to get some real growth.

 

[iamwrasseman]

well due to the ever varying conditions and morphs of these corals you will see many different growing tendencies .

 

[didz04]

So you are saying they are unpredictable on which way they will turn out to grow?

Does anyone know if there are different species within the duncan family?

Thanks

 

[Lynnmw1208]

I was under the assumption that there was a branching type and one that wasn't. I am probably wrong though. I like the regular one though so that's what I have.

 

[didz04]

I know lol they look good but not sure if its a certain type or just sometimes the way they grow??

 

[Lynnmw1208]

I found this thread that was started back in 2010 talking about the same thing http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1796247

it might just be placement. In that case, I'll have to see how mine grows as it's on a rock and not on the bottom of the tank I'm excited now! It's like an experiment!

 

[didz04]

I'm in then! :bounce1: lol
Thanks for the thread, reading it now.

 

[didz04]

So according to 'stunreefer' since they get enough light and food in the tank there is no reason for them to branch and spread out like they do in the wild. Like me, most of us have been target feeding them as we want new heads growing and to keep them happy.

Today I'm going to place mine 3/4s way down the tank especially where the current is at its fastest, as according to 'stunreefer' it helps them to extend their branches. However, the ones ive seen on youtube in high flow rates tend to have very long tentacles.

Very excited now too Thanks for the post Lynnmw1208! do you have any pics of yours?

 

[iamwrasseman]

someone may be able to answer your question better but i have seen many different colors ,shapes and branching styles . that being said they usually dont carry a different scientific name so i have to assume that it has a lot to do with lighting ,available food and different water paramiters . i will see what i can find out and let you know for sure .

 

[didz04]

Thanks man I haven't moved mine but I will do it tonight for sure. I'm not going to go too deep that it gets no growth at all but my tank is only 18" deep. I might try it below a rock like half way down the tank so its only getting shade. That might work

 

[Lynnmw1208]

So according to 'stunreefer' since they get enough light and food in the tank there is no reason for them to branch and spread out like they do in the wild. Like me, most of us have been target feeding them as we want new heads growing and to keep them happy.

Today I'm going to place mine 3/4s way down the tank especially where the current is at its fastest, as according to 'stunreefer' it helps them to extend their branches. However, the ones ive seen on youtube in high flow rates tend to have very long tentacles.

Very excited now too Thanks for the post Lynnmw1208! do you have any pics of yours?

I took some fresh pics today!

 

[didz04]

I took some fresh pics today!

wow thats a nice piece they do look good like that, also you can't see the outlines of the heads lol. Its like a furry hair ball :wildone:

By the way I had a chat with my supplier today where I bought my Duncan coral from, and according to him he says there are actually 2 types and one is like yours forms a circle and the other is the branching type.

He seems to know his stuff and he imports all around the world, any rare fish Ive asked him for he can get in but obviously the prices aint cheap.

I had a search and found the name, its a Australian Whisker Coral search it in google and go through the pages you will see that they are all branching out.
Now that I know that mine is not the right one I'm going to ask the supplier to order one in, wouldn't mind them both in the tank as they look good and the fur ball type duncan would be a good coral for my clownfish to host once they grow.

Hope that helps you Lynnmw1208 and thanks to all who have posted on here.

 

[ViPeR_930]

I don't believe there are two different types. I'd say the growth pattern depends on light and waterflow, with branching happening more with less flow. It's typical growth behavior with many corals. Larger colonies of duncans also branch out more for space. The two pieces in your first picture were cut or broke off from a larger colony. Grow a frag out long enough and you'll find it will branch out. It may be a cluster of polyps per branch unlike one polyp per branch in your first pictures, but it's a branch nonetheless.

Duncanopsammia axifuga is the scientific name, duncanopsammia being a genus and not a family. There's only one species.

 

[didz04]

Oh right thanks I got the same answer from someone on ultimatereef lol, Jamie the supplier seemed pretty convinced that there were 2 species of Duncans and I thought he might have had both scientific names on his importing list but didn't ask him as he was busy at the time.

Really I can't say much as I asked the question and gotten different answers from people so I still feel unsure but I'm more on the side of the way they live in the wild makes them grow like that...

..either way I'll see how mine turns out hopefully they will grow the way I saw Duncan corals the first time.

Thanks

 

[scram42]

Reading through this thread I am reminded of Bonsai trees where they prune them to give a particular shape to the branches. If you see new heads coming off the side of a polyp simply pinch or scrape it off for example. Or even remove a couple polyps in the middle of a bunch. Might even be able to get a couple frags.
Just a suggestion

 

[didz04]

Thanks for the suggestion, although I wouldn't want it to cause any diseases like brown jelly but maybe once it grows I could completely cut it off and start a new colony.