Due to the depth of the Duane and the available time for research, concise biological data has not been collected thus far. However, six monitoring stations have been organized consisting of various types of hard and soft corals. At total of 33 hard coral and 14 soft corals have been identified. Table one provides an account of this inventory.

The depth of the wreck does not allow for as much light penetration to the Duane as might be found on other more shallow wrecks as the Benwood or City of Washington. This may be one reason why the biological levels of the shipwreck remains relatively low. Also, the steel-hulled Duane has only been available as substrate for less than 10 years, while the Benwood and the City of Washington have been available substrate for ecological succession since 1942 and 1917, respectively. The Duane can be said to be in its infancy as an artificial reef, and the relatively low stage of biological growth found there may be a reflection of that youth.

Numerous amounts of fauna do reside on the Duane, however. Several forms of coral and algae have formed on the ship's exterior, providing additional habitats for the succession of biological life. Various types of fish, including barracuda and yellow tail snappers, also dwell within and around the ship. Large pelagic fishes are also frequently encountered at the crow's nest and below. On occasion, lone sea turtles or sting rays can be spotted.