Complete Guide to Feeding Non-Photosynthetic Corals (NPS) | Cultivation Techniques for Growing Without Light | ブリちょく
Coral| ✍️ BreederDirect Editorial
Complete Guide to Feeding Non-Photosynthetic Corals (NPS) | Cultivation Techniques for Growing Without Light
A comprehensive guide to feeding methods and cultivation environments for non-photosynthetic corals (NPS). This article covers nutrient management, flow design, and water quality maintenance tips for popular NPS species including trumpet corals, Sunkayas, and Duncan corals.
Key Takeaways
A comprehensive guide to feeding methods and cultivation environments for non-photosynthetic corals (NPS). This article covers nutrient management, flow design, and water quality maintenance tips for popular NPS species including trumpet corals, Sunkayas, and Duncan corals.
What Are Non-Photosynthetic Corals (NPS)?
While typical corals obtain energy through photosynthesis via a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae, non-photosynthetic corals (NPS: Non-Photosynthetic Coral) lack zooxanthellae and survive by feeding on organic matter, plankton, and detritus drifting in the water. Representative species include trumpet corals (Dendrophyllia), Sunkayas, sunshine corals (Flaballaría), and NPS variants of Duncan corals (Duncanopsammia).
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The greatest appeal of NPS is that they require no high light levels. They can be placed on the undersides of rocks, in shaded areas, or low-light zones, and thrive in reef tanks and frag tanks with reduced lighting costs. However, in exchange, feeding management becomes critical to their survival, and without regular nutritional supplementation, they will weaken and die.
Types of Food for Feeding NPS
NPS corals are primarily fed with the following types of food:
Microplankton: Copepods, rotifers, and Artemia nauplii. These are small in size and easily consumed by polyps. Live feeding produces a better feeding response.
Phytoplankton: Liquid cultures of microalgae such as Chaetoceros and Nannochloropsis. These drift in the water as dissolved organic compounds (DOC) and can also provide indirect nutrition through bacterial populations.
Prepared Foods: Products such as Reef Roids, BRS products, and AlgaeBreed. Liquid types spread widely but can degrade water quality. Direct application near polyps using a dropper is most efficient.
Frozen Copepods and Shrimp: Thaw before feeding in small amounts. Rich in protein and effective for promoting growth.
Feeding Frequency and Flow Management
Ideally, NPS corals should be fed once to twice daily. During feeding, pause the pump (10-15 minutes) or reduce flow so food isn't swept away. Using a dropper to inject food directly near the polyp opening increases feeding efficiency.
The key is to schedule feeding when polyps are open—most species open at night. For species that tend to close during the day, try feeding after lights out.
Flow Design and Water Quality Management
While NPS corals adapt to low light, they do require water flow. Gentle, multidirectional turbulent flow (random flow) is preferable, and strong unidirectional flow should be avoided. When placed on the underside of rocks in the shadow of a frag rack, adjust the flow pump angle so indirect flow reaches the coral.
Ultra-low nutrient environments (ULNS) are unsuitable; instead, a 'moderate nutrient' environment with nitrate levels of 5-10 ppm and phosphate levels of 0.02-0.05 ppm is optimal. NPS corals will starve if organic matter is too scarce. Reducing skimmer performance slightly or increasing live rock quantity to establish robust bacterial layers are effective strategies.
Common Problems and Solutions
Polyps Remain Closed: Water flow may be too strong or light exposure too intense. Move the coral to the shade of a light-blocking panel or live rock.
Bleaching or Shrinking: Insufficient feeding is the most common cause. Try changing the food type or increasing feeding frequency. Also check water parameters.
Brown Slime Discharge: A sign of stress. Avoid sudden environmental changes (water changes, sudden temperature shifts) and maintain a stable environment.
While NPS corals are more delicate than photosynthetic corals, long-term success is entirely possible with a proper feeding routine. We recommend starting with relatively hardy species such as Dendrophyllia (trumpet corals).
