Candy cane Blue

Blue Candy Cane Coral (Caulastrea furcata) – Description & Care

The Blue Candy Cane Coral, a variety of Caulastrea furcata, is an LPS coral known for its blue or bluish-gray polyps with neon or pastel accents. It forms rounded, fleshy polyps atop a branching skeletal base, resembling candy canes, which is how it gets its name. This coral is prized for its hardiness, ease of care, and striking coloration, making it a great choice for beginner and advanced reef keepers alike.

Care Requirements:

1. Lighting

• Low to Moderate (PAR 50-150)
• Can thrive under LED, T5, or metal halide lighting, but does best under moderate blue spectrum lighting, which enhances its blue hues.
• Too much light can cause bleaching, while too little can slow growth.

2. Flow

• Moderate, Indirect Flow
• Prefers gentle to moderate flow to keep detritus from settling while preventing excessive movement of its fleshy polyps.
• Too much flow can cause the coral to retract or stress its delicate polyps.

3. Placement

• Lower to mid-tank, depending on light intensity.
• Place in sandbeds, on rock ledges, or in stable crevices where it won’t be knocked over.
• Needs 2-4 inches of space from aggressive corals but is relatively peaceful toward most other LPS.

4. Water Parameters

• Temperature: 76-80°F (24-27°C)
• Salinity: 1.025 SG (35 ppt)
• pH: 8.1-8.4
• Alkalinity: 8-12 dKH
• Calcium: 400-450 ppm
• Magnesium: 1250-1350 ppm
• Nitrates: 5-10 ppm
• Phosphates: 0.01-0.05 ppm

5. Feeding

• Photosynthetic but benefits from supplemental feeding.
• Target feed 1-2 times per week with small meaty foods like mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, or coral foods (e.g., Reef Roids, Benereef).
• Feeding encourages faster growth and larger polyp extension.

6. Tank Mates & Compatibility

• Peaceful coral, making it ideal for mixed reef tanks.
• Can be placed near other LPS corals with similar aggression levels (e.g., acans, blastos, or other candy canes).
• Safe with most reef-safe fish and invertebrates, but avoid coral-picking fish like butterflyfish and large angelfish.

7. Special Considerations

• Easily propagated through fragging, making it a great choice for coral growers.
• Monitor for tissue recession, which may indicate poor water quality or inadequate feeding.
• Grows best with stable parameters and occasional target feeding.