Ultra Blastomussa Coral

Introduction to Candy Cane Corals

Candy Cane corals, scientifically known as Caulastrea species, are a popular choice among reef enthusiasts for their distinctive trumpet-shaped polyps and vibrant colors. These Large Polyp Stony (LPS) corals often feature shades of neon green, teal, or gold, making them an eye-catching addition to any reef aquarium.

Known for their hardiness and moderate care requirements, Candy Cane corals are well-suited for both beginner and experienced aquarists. Their compact growth patterns make them an excellent choice for filling gaps in aquascapes or creating clusters of color in reef systems.

Location

Candy Cane corals are native to the shallow reef slopes and lagoonal areas of the Indo-Pacific, particularly around regions such as Indonesia, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands. These habitats provide moderate water flow and ample nutrient availability, conditions that Candy Cane corals naturally thrive in.

In the wild, they are often found attached to rocky substrates or coral rubble, where their trumpet-shaped heads expand to capture light and nutrients. These corals are versatile and can adapt to varying light and flow conditions, making them an excellent fit for diverse aquarium setups.

Water Chemistry

Candy Cane corals are relatively hardy and thrive in stable reef tank environments. Maintaining consistent water parameters is essential to ensure their health and vibrant coloration. The recommended ranges are:

• Calcium: 380–450 ppm
• Alkalinity: 8–9.5 dKH
• Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm
• Nitrates: 5–15 ppm
• Phosphates: <0.10 ppm
• Temperature: 75–80°F
• Salinity: 1.024–1.026

While Candy Cane corals are forgiving of minor parameter fluctuations, stable conditions encourage robust growth and help maintain their vibrant colors. Regular water testing and appropriate supplementation are key to providing an optimal environment for these LPS corals.

Lighting

Candy Cane corals thrive under moderate lighting conditions, making them suitable for a wide range of tank placements. An ideal PAR range of 80–150 provides enough light to support their photosynthetic zooxanthellae without causing stress or bleaching.

They can be placed in the middle to lower sections of the tank, where indirect lighting mimics their natural habitat. Gradual acclimation to new lighting conditions is essential to prevent tissue damage or bleaching, especially when transitioning to brighter setups.

At Top Shelf Aquatics, we use a combination of Ecotech Marine Radions and metal halides to provide balanced lighting, ensuring steady growth and vibrant coloration for Candy Cane corals.

Water Flow

Candy Cane corals prefer gentle to moderate water flow, which helps keep their fleshy polyps free of debris while delivering nutrients effectively. Excessive flow can cause their delicate tissue to retract or become damaged, so placement in areas with indirect currents is ideal.

These corals benefit from a steady but gentle flow pattern that mimics their natural environment on reef slopes and lagoonal zones. Proper water movement encourages healthy polyp extension and supports their feeding and overall growth.

At Top Shelf Aquatics, we create dynamic flow conditions using equipment such as Ecotech Marine MP’s, Reef Octopus Octo Pulse, and Sicce XStream wave makers to replicate the natural habitat of Candy Cane corals.

What We Feed

Candy Cane corals rely primarily on their symbiotic zooxanthellae for energy but benefit significantly from supplemental feeding to enhance their growth, tissue health, and coloration. These corals readily accept fine-particle foods as well as meatier options like mysis shrimp, which can be offered periodically to provide additional nutrients.

At Top Shelf Aquatics, we nourish Candy Cane corals with a variety of nutrient-rich feeds, including our Royal Flush blend, which contains:

• Tisochrysis
• Rhodomonas
• Tetraselmis

In addition, products like Reef Roids and Benepets are excellent for improving their coloration and growth rate. To further support their health, mysis shrimp or similar meaty foods can be offered once or twice a week during feeding times when their tentacles are extended.

For optimal results, use a turkey baster or syringe to target-feed the corals, pausing water flow for 10–15 minutes to allow them to effectively capture and absorb nutrients.

Coloration and Tank Maturity

Candy Cane corals are prized for their vibrant and dynamic coloration, which includes shades of neon green, teal, gold, and sometimes contrasting stripes or patterns. Maintaining these brilliant colors requires a combination of stable water parameters, moderate lighting, and proper feeding.

Supplemental feeding with fine-particle foods, mysis shrimp, and nutrient-rich blends supports their pigmentation and overall health. Stable calcium and alkalinity levels also play a critical role in supporting skeletal growth and maintaining vibrant coloration.

Candy Cane corals adapt quickly to established reef systems and show steady growth when placed in optimal conditions. Although they are relatively easy to care for, patience is required to allow them to reach their full potential in both growth and coloration over time.

Common Challenges

Although Candy Cane corals are relatively hardy, they may face some challenges if tank conditions are not properly maintained:

• Tissue Recession: Poor water quality, low flow, or physical damage can lead to tissue loss. Ensuring moderate flow and consistent water parameters helps prevent this issue.
• Bleaching: Overexposure to intense light or sudden changes in lighting conditions can cause stress and lead to bleaching. Gradually acclimate the coral to any lighting adjustments to avoid this.
• Debris Accumulation: Due to their fleshy polyps, Candy Cane corals may collect debris. Gentle water flow helps keep them clean and prevents stress.

How We Farm/Propagate This

At Top Shelf Aquatics, we carefully propagate Candy Cane corals to ensure they thrive in home aquariums. Our experienced team of marine biologists maintains stable water parameters across over 30,000 gallons of farmable water volume, creating ideal conditions for these LPS corals to grow and flourish.

The propagation process begins by selecting healthy mother colonies. Using precision tools such as coral band saws, we create clean cuts to minimize stress on the coral. Each frag is securely mounted on plugs with reef-safe glue or epoxy and placed in grow-out tanks designed to replicate natural reef conditions.

Our systems provide balanced lighting with Ecotech Marine Radions and metal halides and gentle water flow created by Ecotech Marine MP’s, Reef Octopus Octo Pulse, and Sicce XStream wave makers. This combination supports healthy growth and vibrant coloration for the corals.

Each frag is closely monitored for growth, tissue health, and coloration before being made available to our customers, ensuring that you receive a high-quality coral ready to thrive in your aquarium.

Acclimation Guide

Proper acclimation is essential to ensure a smooth transition for Candy Cane corals into your reef system. These corals can experience stress from shipping or environmental changes, so following these steps will help them settle in successfully:

• Temperature Acclimation: Float the bag in your aquarium for 15–20 minutes to equalize the temperature.
• Drip Acclimation (Optional): Gradually introduce your tank water to the coral. Keep in mind that Candy Cane corals may not adapt as quickly with this method.
• Lighting Acclimation: Place the coral in a shaded or lower-light area initially, or reduce your light intensity. Gradually increase lighting over 2–3 weeks to avoid bleaching.
• Placement: Secure the coral on rockwork or stable ledges using reef-safe glue or epoxy. Ensure gentle to moderate water flow to keep the coral clean and promote healthy polyp extension.