The Caulastrea Candy Cane Coral is an LPS coral often referred to as the Trumpet, Torch, Candy, or Bullseye Coral.
Their common name comes from the appearance of stripes on their polyps.
Candy Canes are considered relatively easy to keep, and are a great way for hobbyists to be introduced to LPS corals.
The are found in vibrant green, yellow, or blue and brown. Under blue lights, these corals really stand out and glow, making them a vibrant and colourful addition to your tank.
It is considered hardy and a relatively peaceful with very short sweeper tentacles. It will benefit from additional food fed weekly in the form of brine shrimp or micro-plankton. It requires moderate lighting and moderate water movement, along with the addition of calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water.
Coral Facts & Care Requirements
- Common Name: Candy Cane
- Origin: Tonga, easily aquacultured
- Category: LPS
- Care Level: Beginner/Intermediate
- Known Predators: Puffers, triggers & general coral pests.
- Temperament: Slightly Aggressive
- Lighting: Medium – High
- Water flow: Medium – Strong
- Placement: Low – Medium
- Feeding Requirement: Though this coral have zooxnthellae, which allow for some of their energy to be gathered through light, they will benefit from spot feeding.
- Colours: Green, yellow, blue & brown.
- Growth Speed: Slow – Medium
- Water Parameters: Standard saltwater parameters should see this coral thrive, they will not tolerate large parameter swings & require a stable environment.
Feeding Candy Cane Corals
As mentioned several times, these corals will benefit from faster grown & more vibrant colouring if they are fed. You will be surprised at how much food these corals can consume.
Foods that are readily accepted include:
- Specialist coral foods
- Pellets
- meaty foods, such as mysis shrimp, prawns & little bits of fish
- Copepods & Amphipods
- General fish foods such as flake & marine pellets
Lighting & Flow requirements
Candy Canes generally do best when placed in areas with moderate flow & lighting, however they can be slowly acclimated to accept either lower or higher lighting & flow.
It is generally recommended to start them off in a low flow, shaded area of the tank then slowly move them up to the desired location over a period of several weeks. If you see you Candy Canes polyps retreating, you need to move them back down lower in your tank.
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