LPS Coral Care: Duncan, Hammer and Torch

LPS (large-polyp stony) corals have big fleshy polyps that move beautifully in the flow. Many are easy to keep, and they reward a little feeding with faster growth and fuller polyps.

Duncan coral

One of the easiest LPS. Moderate light and gentle to moderate flow, low to mid rock or the sand bed. It opens wide and grows noticeably faster with a weekly feed of a meaty coral food. Peaceful, so it is a good neighbour.

Hammer coral

Flowing tentacles tipped like little hammers. Moderate light and low to moderate flow suit it, on the sand bed or mid rock. It needs stable alkalinity and calcium. At night it puts out sweeper tentacles that can sting anything within about 10 cm, so leave it room.

Torch coral

Long, glowing tentacles that drift in the current. Care is similar to the Hammer, but its sweepers are longer, up to about 15 cm, and can kill a neighbour, so give it a shelf of its own.

Feeding LPS

Turn the pumps down for ten minutes and use a pipette to put a small amount of meaty coral food onto the polyps once or twice a week. Little and often is better than a lot: leftovers turn into nitrate.

Warning signs

• Polyps shrinking back and the skeleton showing: often an alkalinity swing or too much light. Check alkalinity first.
• Brown jelly or tissue coming away: act quickly. Remove the affected head or coral to stop it spreading and check your water.
• Never touching: keep Hammers and Torches apart from everything else, and from each other unless they are the same species.