Purple Candy Cane (Caulastrea) [61]

Purple Candy Cane (Caulastrea)

Type: LPS

Scientific Name: Caulastrea sp.

PAR: 75?175

Flow: Low to moderate, varied flow

Placement: Low Third to Mid Third

Description

Purple Candy Cane is a branching Caulastrea with plump, rounded polyps displaying rich purple colouration. Each polyp sits at the end of its own skeletal branch, giving established colonies the distinctive cluster of fleshy heads that gives Candy Cane Coral its common name.

Caulastrea has a particularly satisfying growth pattern. Individual heads gradually divide, producing new branches and steadily transforming a small frag into a compact, rounded colony. The fleshy polyps also inflate considerably beyond the skeleton when fully open.

Why We Like It

Candy Canes are one of those corals that are easy to enjoy at every stage. A small frag already has plenty of colour, but you can actually watch the heads divide and the colony build over time. The purple gives this one a slightly different look from the fluorescent greens most commonly associated with Caulastrea.

Care Notes

A hardy and adaptable LPS that does well under moderate reef lighting and relatively gentle flow. Primarily photosynthetic, but the polyps readily accept small meaty foods and suitable coral foods, and occasional feeding can help support faster growth and head division.