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Candy Cane Coral

Caulastrea furcataDana, 1846Species

LPS with round head-shaped polyps resembling candy canes. Hardy, easy to keep, and colorful. Ideal for LPS beginners.

Candy Cane Coral (Caulastrea furcata)
© Sean McGrathCC BY 2.0Source

Names & Synonyms

  • CommonCandy Cane Coral
  • Commonキャンディケインコーラル
  • SynonymCaulastraea distorta
  • SynonymCaulastrea distorta
  • SynonymCaulastrea furcata

Overview

Candy cane coral (Caulastraea furcata, family Merulinidae) is named for the green and white striped pattern on its large circular corallites, which branch regularly to form sizable colonies. Found on reef slopes and lagoons of the Indo-Pacific, it is among the most beginner-friendly LPS corals, thriving under low to moderate lighting (100–200 PAR) with gentle flow. Polyps inflate during the day and retract at night. It responds well to target feeding of brine shrimp or copepods one to two times per week, accelerating colony growth. Its low aggression toward neighboring corals makes it easy to integrate into community reef tanks.

Care Specifications

TypeLPS
Temperature24〜27℃
Specific gravity1.023〜1.025
Salinity33〜35 ppt
KH (carbonate hardness)8〜12 dKH
Calcium (Ca)400〜450 mg/L
Magnesium (Mg)1280〜1350 mg/L
LightingMedium
Water flowLow
PlacementBottom

Care Points

  • LightingLow to moderate
  • FlowGentle flow
  • FeedingMysis shrimp accelerates growth
  • PropagationNew heads multiply by splitting
  • NotesAvoid strong light and direct flow

Regulatory & Conservation

CITES:
Appendix II
Notes:
イシサンゴ目(Caulastraea furcata, Merulinidae)。CITES 附属書II。

Sources

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