Is my duncan ok?

[Bugenar]

That dark spot was there before we got it. My guess is an old wound.

I’m concerned about that little bud on the top there, is that a new head? Or is that some sort of pest living within.

The other side there looks to be a gash of sorts, but it’s nearly impossible to get a picture of it because of where it is. We own two peppermint shrimp that I’m certain is picking at them (and eating my rock flowers!), they’ll be out soon but just wanna see what’s up with this guy.

But also this duncan in particular has a history of looking completely dead or about to die then the next day be totally open for months, never split tho…

 

[get-salty]

Duncans can be extremely picky. Most will need a long time to adjust into a new environment. From the pics, i cant really tell if anything wrong.. sorry

But... i have to say this and this is only my opinion and own experience.
Never keep shrimps or emerald crabs for fun or bc you think they're cool. Keep them only for specific reasons like if you're trying to eliminate something in your tank.
These two creatures are menace lol.

 

[Catawba_Valley_Reef]

Are you feeding the duncan by any chance? If so, the peppermint shrimp are probably harassing it to steal the food. Same with the rock flowers.

Peppermint shrimp are great if you are dealing with aptasia. Have you ever thought about feeding the shrimp a little every couple of days? Could keep them away from the corals.

The second picture it just looks like the mouth is open on the top.

 

[skey44]

If you’ve had it for months without noticeable growth it is likely not in an ideal environment. I have had a Duncan for about 5-6 months and probably up to 15 heads from 3 original heads.
I’m guessing the peppermint’s are either eating food it is trying to eat. A healthy Duncan just shrugs off peppermint shrimp (I have 5 peppermints in display with said Duncan).
I do see a gaping mouth and very short tentacles. These are not ideal signs. Now I will say my Duncan sometimes closes up for whatever reason, but it always expands and opens up within a few hours.
Long story short, I think there’s another issue. Peppermints are possibly picking on a weak coral.
How are your water parameters, flow and lighting? I have also noticed mine started thriving once I permanently affixed it to the rocks.

Duncan is at top right of this pic from a month or so ago.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

In 6 months you should have a several new polyps, this coral is almost like a weed. I wonder if it gets enough light and flow down on the sandbed. I would suggest medium light and flow, mine used to be directly under metal hallides and grew so fast.

As mentioned above, the mouth is gaping open, the tentacles are not extended. I don't think the small bump on the side has anything to do with it. What are the water parameters?

 

[Bugenar]

Duncans can be extremely picky. Most will need a long time to adjust into a new environment. From the pics, i cant really tell if anything wrong.. sorry

But... i have to say this and this is only my opinion and own experience.
Never keep shrimps or emerald crabs for fun or bc you think they're cool. Keep them only for specific reasons like if you're trying to eliminate something in your tank.
These two creatures are menace lol.

We had pepps to get rid of aiptasia but there is none anymore, time to go!

Didn’t know emeralds were that bad, they were one of the first inverts we got and they have not done anything bad… so far

 

[Bugenar]

If you’ve had it for months without noticeable growth it is likely not in an ideal environment. I have had a Duncan for about 5-6 months and probably up to 15 heads from 3 original heads.
I’m guessing the peppermint’s are either eating food it is trying to eat. A healthy Duncan just shrugs off peppermint shrimp (I have 5 peppermints in display with said Duncan).
I do see a gaping mouth and very short tentacles. These are not ideal signs. Now I will say my Duncan sometimes closes up for whatever reason, but it always expands and opens up within a few hours.
Long story short, I think there’s another issue. Peppermints are possibly picking on a weak coral.
How are your water parameters, flow and lighting? I have also noticed mine started thriving once I permanently affixed it to the rocks.

Duncan is at top right of this pic from a month or so ago.

Yeah it’s in a bad spot, it might be getting too much flow. I have other duncan’s that are doing fine, even splitting.

It is usually open most of the time, it’s opening up right now in fact.

Does this look like too much flow for it? Also what about these recently added ones around the same spot?

 

[Bugenar]

Are you feeding the duncan by any chance? If so, the peppermint shrimp are probably harassing it to steal the food. Same with the rock flowers.

Peppermint shrimp are great if you are dealing with aptasia. Have you ever thought about feeding the shrimp a little every couple of days? Could keep them away from the corals.

The second picture it just looks like the mouth is open on the top.

Yeah I do feed the pepps… In fact if anything Ive been overfeeding the tank a bit, I’d find it absurd if they weren’t getting enough food.

I think they’re just doing this. They likely killed my rock flower anemone and was picking at another. On top of it abusing the duncan’s, I think it’s best if I get rid of them especially since there isn’t aiptasia in my tank anymore.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Thats very minimal flow IMO, they can take much more flow.

Duncans don't split, they grow new polyps from the side. The other duncans are also only one polyp. How long have you had them? i am suspecting they also not getting enough light if they are not growing new polyps.

 

[Bugenar]

Thats very minimal flow IMO, they can take much more flow.

Duncans don't split, they grow new polyps from the side. The other duncans are also only one polyp. How long have you had them? i am suspecting they also not getting enough light if they are not growing new polyps.

So the other ones were recently fragged and sold in bulk at petco, I’ve only had them for a few weeks.

This is another that we got while it was splitting, it grew 2 heads since we got it as well.