Duncan coral closing when feeding fish

[LxHowler]

Hi. I have a new Duncan coral, it's seems to be doing well and all of my tank parameters are good, it's open all day but as soon as I feed my pair of de vinchi clowns it closes up. It's only ever one head that closes and then it opens again about an hour or so later.
Does anyone have any idea why it does this or is this normal behaviour. It's open all the rest of the time, is this how they eat?
Sorry if it's a stupid question I'm pretty new to reef tanks

 

[Nick Steele]

Any chance it is getting some food itself?

They do close to feed

 

[LxHowler]

Any chance it is getting some food itself?

They do close to feed

Yeah it is possible. I feed mysis shrimp and it could be settling in the coral. It's good to know they close to feed

 

[HighBallNano]

Do their heads look like this? If so, then they’re eating

 

[Yates273]

I would say it’s eating. Every time I feed my fish and food falls on them their tentacles grab the food and they close up for a few. I actually target feed mine and they grow like a weed.

 

[LxHowler]

Do their heads look like this? If so, then they’re eating

That’s exactly how they looks, thanks reassuring to know it want something I was doing wrong

 

[saltyhog]

Yep, if they are closed because they are irritated they don't blow up like that. I used to try and intentionally feed mine but it's big enough now it isn't practical.

 

[William Mumford]

Eating for sure.

 

[vetteguy53081]

responding to food. Next time you feed, watch the food as it hits the Duncan and you will see it close up as in pics

 

[William Mumford]

responding to food. Next time you feed, watch the food as it hits the Duncan and you will see it close up as in pics

Yeah Duncan's are one of my favorite to see eat it's also a way to see it you have any tiny heads growing while the big ones are closed.

 

[saltyhog]

Duncan's can also be pretty "sticky" like nems. Mine will actually grab my pipette when feeding.