What is Candy Cane Coral?

Candy Cane Coral (Caulastrea) is an LPS coral known for its distinctive striped polyps that resemble candy canes.

What lighting is best for Candy Cane Coral?

Moderate lighting (80-200 PAR). It does well under LEDs and T5s and colors up nicely with sufficient light.

Does Candy Cane Coral need to be fed?

Yes, regular target feeding 1-2 times per week with meaty foods like mysis shrimp greatly improves growth and vibrant coloration.

Where should I place Candy Cane Coral?

Best on mid to upper rockwork where it receives moderate flow and good lighting.

Coral Care Info Candy Cane

Candy Cane Coral Care Guide

Care Requirements of Candy Cane Coral in Home Reef Aquariums

Candy cane coral care is easy and beginner-friendly, making this LPS coral a popular choice for reef hobbyists. Also known as trumpet coral, candy cane corals are loved for their bright colors, round polyps, and hardy nature. With proper lighting, gentle flow, and stable water parameters, they will grow steadily and add vibrant color to any reef aquarium.

Care Requirements

Lighting (PAR Range)

Low to Moderate lighting
Ideal PAR: 75–150
Too much light can cause bleaching or retraction

Flow

Low to moderate, indirect flow
Avoid strong flow that can prevent polyp extension

Placement

Best placed in the middle to lower areas of the tank
Can adapt to different placements with proper acclimation

Aggression

Peaceful coral
Minimal sweeper tentacles
Can be placed near other non-aggressive corals

Growth Rate

Moderate growth
Grows by branching and forming new heads

Feeding

Candy cane corals benefit from regular feeding and respond well to target feeding. They are often kept with other LPS corals in mixed reef tanks.

Feed 1–2 times per week
Accepts mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and reef foods
Target feeding encourages faster growth
Turn off flow briefly during feeding

Tank Compatibility

Candy cane corals are very compatible with peaceful reef tanks and work well alongside a variety of species.

Great for beginner and mixed reefs
Compatible with most reef-safe fish and invertebrates
Avoid aggressive corals nearby
Pairs well with zoanthids and soft corals

Common Problems

Closed polyps from unstable parameters
Bleaching from excessive light
Tissue damage from strong flow
Slow growth due to lack of feeding

Tips for Success

Keep water parameters stable
Feed regularly for faster growth
Provide moderate lighting
Avoid strong direct flow
Allow room for growth and branching

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Candy Cane Coral Beginner Friendly?
Yes, candy cane corals are one of the easiest LPS corals to care for.

What PAR Do Candy Cane Corals Need?
They thrive in low to moderate lighting, typically between 75–150 PAR.

Do Candy Cane Corals Need Feeding?
They benefit from feeding, which helps improve growth and health.

How Fast Do Candy Cane Corals Grow?
They have a moderate growth rate and will grow faster with regular feeding.

Why Is My Candy Cane Coral Not Opening?
This is usually caused by unstable water parameters, too much flow, or too much light.

Looking to add one to your tank? Browse our selection of coral frags or explore more reefing tips on our reefing blog.

About the Author

Scott Shiles is the owner of ExtremeCorals.com, which he has operated for over 25 years and is recognized as one of the early dedicated live coral websites on the internet. A lifelong reef keeper since 1984, Scott has decades of hands-on experience maintaining marine aquariums and previously owned and operated a brick and mortar aquarium retail store for 10 years, including five years alongside Extreme Corals. He holds a degree in Marine Biology and has personally selected and sold hundreds of thousands of live corals. An avid scuba diver who has explored reef systems around the world, Scott shares practical coral care and husbandry knowledge based on real world reef experience.