Spiny candy cane
Caulastrea echinulata
Family : Faviidae
CoralMarineLPS
LPS coral forming colonies of tubular polyps with starry tips, reminiscent of candy canes.
Popularity
LPS coral
large polyps, low light
Availability
Specialty onlyShop availability
IUCN Status
LC
Least Concern
Description
Caulastrea echinulata appears as small encrusting or massive colonies, with elongated polyps and spiny septa. Colors range from green to brown, often with contrasting centers. It is undemanding and tolerates varied conditions, making it a good choice for reef beginners.
Habitat
Region :
Reef flats and shallow areas
Distribution :
Recommended parameters
Temperature24–28 °C
pH8.1–8.4
GH8–12 °dGH
KH7–12 °dKH
NO₃
≤ 10 mg/L
PO₄
≤ 0.1 mg/L
Care
Difficulty
2/5
Diet
Photosynthetic
Min. tank
80 L
Min. group
1
Adult size
15 cm
Lifespan
5 years
Temperament
Peaceful
Propagation
Fragmentation
Care notes
Place in moderate lighting and low to moderate flow. It feeds mainly by photosynthesis but appreciates zooplankton supplements. Watch for filamentous algae that may overgrow it.
Similar species
Espèces proches, même habitat ou même maintenance
