Bicolor Trumpet Coral Care Guide
Bicolor Trumpet Coral (Caulastrea furcata var. 'Bicolor') is a LPS coral. Care covers 50-150 PAR, low flow, reef parameters and feeding; beginner level.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Bicolor Trumpet Coral (Caulastrea furcata var. 'Bicolor') is a LPS coral in the family Merulinidae. Caulastrea morph showing striped or bicolor green-and-cream radial pattern on each polyp.
Taxonomy
- Family: Merulinidae
- Genus: Caulastrea
- Scientific name: Caulastrea furcata var. 'Bicolor'
- Common synonyms: Bicolor Candy Cane
Habitat
In the wild, Caulastrea furcata var. 'Bicolor' is reported from Indo-Pacific, where it occupies mid to lower reef slopes and lagoons (typically 5-30 m). The species adopts a branching growth form on hard substrate within zooxanthellate reef communities.
Tank requirements
- Salinity (specific gravity): 1.024-1.026
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Carbonate hardness (dKH): 8-11
- Calcium: 380-450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1280-1350 ppm
- Phosphate (max): 0.05 ppm
- Nitrate (max): 10 ppm
- Minimum system age: 3 months
Placement and lighting
- PAR (placement zone): 50-150 PAR
- Water flow: low
Mount this LPS coral on the lower or mid rockwork or on the sand bed (for free-living forms) where light is moderate. Strong direct flow can damage the fleshy tissue; aim for indirect, varied movement.
Feeding
Caulastrea furcata var. 'Bicolor' hosts symbiotic zooxanthellae and derives most of its energy through photosynthesis. Supplemental target feeding accelerates growth and supports colouration; commonly accepted items include mysis, reef-roids. Feed once or twice per week after lights-out, when polyps are extended.
Compatibility
This coral is passive toward neighbours. Reef-safe with most fish and invertebrates.
Care notes
Difficulty level: beginner. Reported skeletal growth in well-tuned reef tanks is approximately 0.3-0.6 cm/month. Propagation by fragmentation is straightforward for branching colonies — separate branches or polyps with a bone cutter, glue to plug, allow 1-2 weeks for healing. Maintain stable alkalinity (avoid swings above ±0.5 dKH per day) to preserve tissue health.
Bicolor Trumpet Coral (Caulastrea furcata) Propagation Guide
Overview
The bicolor trumpet is a color morph of Caulastraea furcata, the candy cane or trumpet coral, in the family Merulinidae, distinguished by a striped or two-tone green-and-cream radial pattern on each polyp. Structurally it is identical to the standard candy cane: a phaceloid colony of separate corallite heads on stalk-like branches. Reef Builders rates Caulastrea as a hardy, beginner-friendly LPS and one of the easiest branching corals to frag.
Reproductive Mode
Aquarium propagation is asexual by fragmentation. Branching corals like Caulastrea are the easiest LPS to frag because the heads sit on separate branches and only need to be separated from one another.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
- Locate the branching stalks connecting individual heads.
- Separate the branches with coral cutters, or use a band saw for a flatter edge.
- Cut into singles or doubles and shave the base flat so the frag stands upright.
- Glue each frag to a plug with reef-safe adhesive.
- Set frags in low flow and medium light, where they recover and bud new heads.
The bicolor pattern carries through to fragged heads, so dividing a colored colony multiplies the morph reliably as each frag grows out.
Conditions for Propagation
Keep temperature near 24-26 degrees Celsius and pH 8.1-8.4 with stable alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium. Caulastrea tolerates a wide PAR and flow range, so low to moderate flow and medium light suit fresh frags; light feeding aids recovery.
Sexual Reproduction
Sexual reproduction occurs on the reef and is not used in the hobby. The consulted sources do not document captive spawning, so propagation relies on fragmentation and natural budding of new corallites.
Common Challenges
As a passive, peaceful coral, the bicolor trumpet poses little aggression risk to neighbours. The main concerns are mechanical: avoid crushing a fleshy head or leaving a ragged cut, and keep fresh cuts clean to prevent infection at the wound.
Candy Cane Coral (Caulastrea furcata) Propagation Guide
Overview
Caulastraea furcata, the candy cane or trumpet coral, is a stony coral in the family Merulinidae. It grows as a phaceloid colony of separate corallite heads carried on stalk-like branches, forming a bouquet shape. Reef Builders describes Caulastrea as a hardy, beginner-friendly LPS that works in many systems, and as one of the easiest branching corals to frag.
Reproductive Mode
Propagation in the aquarium is asexual by fragmentation. Because each head sits on its own branch, branching corals like Caulastrea are the easiest LPS to frag, since the task is simply to separate the branches from one another.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
- Identify the branching stalks where individual heads connect.
- Separate the branches using coral cutters; a band saw gives a flatter, cleaner edge if available.
- Cut into singles or doubles, then shave the base flat so each frag stands with a flat bottom.
- Glue or epoxy each frag to a plug.
- Place frags in low flow and moderate light, where they recover quickly and bud new heads.
Candy cane is forgiving of a range of PAR and flow, which helps frags settle, and healthy colonies bud additional corallites over time to replace what was removed.
Conditions for Propagation
Hold temperature around 24-26 degrees Celsius and pH 8.1-8.4 with stable alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium. Caulastrea tolerates wide PAR and flow ranges, so low to moderate flow and medium light suit fresh frags; light feeding supports recovery.
Sexual Reproduction
Sexual reproduction occurs on the reef and is not used for hobby propagation. The consulted sources do not document captive spawning for Caulastrea, so aquarium propagation relies on fragmentation and natural budding.
Common Challenges
Candy cane is a passive, peaceful coral without strong stinging sweepers, so aggression is rarely an issue. The main risks are mechanical: crushing a head with cutters or leaving a ragged cut, both reduced by working on the bare branch and shaving a flat base. As with any LPS, keep new frags clean to avoid infection at the cut.