Duncan Coral - problem?

[Fly Guy]

I keep mine in a tank with massive amounts of flow. The dont like high velocity flow, but tons of low velocity flow they like just fine. It grows fast and is happy, the only problem in keeping it in higher flow is the heads grow really tightly together and I lose at least two heads every time I go to cut any off.

tufacody...do you target feed yours?? If not....do so at least once a week if not more. It will fatten up and grow much faster

[Goldenmean]

I have two varietys.
One has really long tentacles. The other has much shorter ones.
I feed mine a couple times a week and I have gone from 5 heads to about 30 heads in 4-5 months.



The powerheads are off in this shot. The tentacle are nearly 2 inches long and I think they kind of look like a weeping willow.

[icebear]

why are these so expensive (i see $30-$90 per polyp/head)? and why are they tough to frag? and does the second question explain the first?

they sound like something i could even keep... are they worth the $$?

i like the willowy ones too... very nice!

[tufacody]

Just an update on mine. I reduced the flow in their area and feed once a week and they have really taken off. Look great now and another new head.

[Danyen]

glad to hear they're doing well.

Icebear... I've found them to be very hardy. They got really expensive for a while because they were the "in" coral to own. I bought my single head frag for less than $20, and it is now a nice fat coral a few months later. It's worth what you're willing to pay, but you should be able to find a better deal than you listed.

[snow_man84088]

I have seen these lately at my LFS for $10-15 a polyp/frag. But a large colony of several hundred heads sold recently for almost $500.

[icebear]

i'll have to keep an eye out at different etailers, no local places left around here with decent stuff...!

[Loverotties]

Originally Posted by betamed

I never feed mine and its done fine and split from one head to 5 in a few months. I'm sure feeding is beneficial just stating they can be kept without it as they are photosynthetic. Moderate light and moderate flow.

And you need good water quility!

[Jared J]

why are these so expensive (i see $30-$90 per polyp/head)?

I think it's because they come from Austrailia and the government has opened up export of these corals to only a limited amount. It's good that they grow so fast. one of my LFS has some for 30 per head, I'd like to get a couple.

[Twitterbait]

Keep in mind that since your running a solaris your lighting will affect the tank in a different way. unlike MH which blow light EVERYWHERE, solaris will push the light almost straight down with little diffusion. you can move a coral a few inches out of the direct path of the light and it will significantly reduct the light the coral actually gets. for LPS this is a better zone. SPS and light loving corals would want to be in the direct path of the light. this assumes that you have the correct size light for your tank.

[JBarry471]

I believe Jared J is right on. I read something about how Australia just recently allowed propagation of those corals. Their price is related directly to their availability which has dramatically increased because people can now grow them and distribute locally.

My whisker coral eats almost anything I put in its tentacles...assuming the shrimp dont pull it out first. From mysis shrimp, phytoplankton, cyclopeeze, brine shrimp and even flake and pellet food. Just give it time and let it do its thing!!

[wolfe4372]

Originally Posted by icebear

why are these so expensive (i see $30-$90 per polyp/head)? and why are they tough to frag? and does the second question explain the first?

they sound like something i could even keep... are they worth the $$?

i like the willowy ones too... very nice!

totally worth it! i've had mine for 2 weeks now and i have a bud for a second head already

i spot feed mine and i do it more then i should but it keeps it plump and happy.

speaking of which today is calcium day. off i go

[cutietwo]

Wow finding out they can be cheaper. my lfs sells 2-3 heads for like 80 bucks...maybe i'll find one on craigslist (wow this is an old thread but o well lol)