Encyclopaedia
InvertebrateMarineIntermediate
©AI Generated·Proprietary
Candy cane coral
Caulastraea furcata
The Candy Cane Coral is a resilient, fast-growing LPS coral featuring vibrant, fleshy polyps. It requires moderate flow, stable parameters, and target feeding.
Class:Anthozoa
Order:Scleractinia
Family:Merulinidae
Genus:Caulastraea
Species:Caulastraea furcata
Formerly known as:Caulastrea furcata
Share
Check out Candy cane coral on Atlarium
Water Temperature
24 - 28 °C
pH Value
8.1 - 8.4
Water type
Marine
Minimum group
>= 1
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: The Candy Cane Coral (*Caulastrea furcata*), also widely known as the Trumpet Coral, is an incredibly resilient, fast-growing Large Polyp Stony (LPS) coral natively endemic to the warm, shallow reef flats and protected lagoons of the Indo-Pacific Ocean, Australia, and Fiji. Their natural biotope is defined by highly illuminated, relatively calm, nutrient-rich coastal waters where they form massive, tightly clustered hemispherical domes consisting of hundreds of individual polyps.
Taxonomy: Scientifically classified within the Merulinidae family, they are an LPS coral featuring a very distinct, phaceloid (tube-like, branching) calcified skeleton. Morphologically, a colony consists of dozens of distinct, trumpet-shaped skeletal stalks. At the very tip of each stalk sits a large, inflated, fleshy, circular or oval-shaped polyp. During the day, the polyps swell immensely, pressing against each other to hide the skeleton beneath and forming a solid visual canopy.
Social Behavior: They are sessile and universally regarded as one of the most peaceful and least aggressive stony corals available in the marine hobby. Unlike the hyper-aggressive *Euphyllia* species, they possess extremely short, weak sweeper tentacles (rarely extending more than half an inch / 1 cm) that are deployed exclusively at night. They pose practically no threat to neighboring corals, making them an ideal candidate for densely packed, mixed reef aquariums.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Sexual dimorphism is non-existent. Their coloration is bright, striking, and highly varied. The fleshy polyps typically present a highly contrasting two-tone or striped pattern that gives them their "Candy Cane" moniker. Common variations include a brilliant neon green or vivid teal center bordered by a contrasting brown, beige, or pale yellow outer ring. Solid neon-green variants (often sold as "Kryptonite Candy Canes") glow with blinding, radioactive intensity under blue LED lights.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: Guidance about aquarium setup for Caulastraea furcata must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Feeding and Diet: Guidance about feeding and diet for Caulastraea furcata must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Water Quality: Guidance about water quality for Caulastraea furcata must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Compatibility and Coexistence: Guidance about compatibility and coexistence for Caulastraea furcata must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Aquarium Breeding: Guidance about aquarium breeding for Caulastraea furcata must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Risks and Disease: Guidance about risks and disease for Caulastraea furcata must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
The Candy Cane Coral (*Caulastrea furcata*), also widely known as the Trumpet Coral, is an incredibly resilient, fast-growing Large Polyp Stony (LPS) coral natively endemic to the warm, shallow reef flats and protected lagoons of the Indo-Pacific Ocean, Australia, and Fiji. Their natural biotope is defined by highly illuminated, relatively calm, nutrient-rich coastal waters where they form massive, tightly clustered hemispherical domes consisting of hundreds of individual polyps.
Origin
Tropical oceans and reefsAfrica and Madagascar
Invertebrate profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Ecological role
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- No verified data available
- Jump risk
- No verified data available
- Shock sensitivity
- No verified data available
- Calcium and minerals
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Compatibility & tankmates
- No verified data available
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
