Bicolor Trumpet Coral (Caulastrea furcata) Propagation Guide

Propagating the bicolor trumpet / candy cane morph of Caulastrea furcata: separating branching corallite heads and gluing them to plugs, one of the easiest LPS to frag.

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.