TankBud

Candy cane coral

Caulastraea furcata

Also known as Trumpet Coral, Bullseye Coral, Caulastrea

SaltwaterCoral

Candy cane coral (Caulastraea furcata)
Ryan McMinds · CC BY 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
7.9 in
20 cm
Minimum tank
11 gal
40 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Common
Reef safe
Reef safe
Family
Merulinidae
Origin
Indo-Pacific

Overview

The candy cane coral is a hardy LPS coral for the lower part of a reef tank. It is one of the most beginner-forgiving LPS corals, a good first step past the easiest corals.

Did you know

Each corallite of the candy cane coral sits on its own separate branching stalk. Corals that grow this way form what are called phaceloid colonies.

Caring for the candy cane coral

Give the candy cane coral anywhere from about 50 to 150 PAR, since it is undemanding on light. Keep the flow low to moderate, because too much current makes the heads lose their plump look. Place it on the bottom or on lower rock, in a tank of at least 11 gal (40 L).

Keep the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. It is photosynthetic but readily captures food. Spot feed mysis, krill or LPS pellets two to three times a week to spur growth.

The candy cane coral is only mildly aggressive. It does not throw long sweepers like Euphyllia, but its stinging tentacles can reach about 2 inches. Still leave a little space between it and its neighbors.

It multiplies simply by splitting its own heads, so a small cluster slowly fills out into a dense colony. It is easy to frag by cutting between heads.

Good to know

Caulastraea furcata is a large polyp stony coral in the family Merulinidae. Besides candy cane, it goes by trumpet coral, bullseye coral and Caulastrea.

In the wild

The candy cane coral grows on Indo-Pacific reefs as clusters of rounded, fleshy heads on trumpet-shaped stalks. The heads often have contrasting striped or bullseye centers.

Common questions

What size tank does a candy cane coral need?

A candy cane coral needs at least 11 gal (40 L).

What temperature and pH does a candy cane coral need?

A candy cane coral is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What does a candy cane coral eat?

A candy cane coral is photosynthetic but readily captures food. Spot feed it mysis, krill or LPS pellets two to three times a week to spur growth.

How big does a candy cane coral get?

An adult candy cane coral reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).

How does a candy cane coral breed?

A candy cane coral multiplies by dividing its own heads. Over time, a small cluster fills out into a dense colony this way.

Related species