Caulastrea is a genus of stony coral that belongs to the LPS (Large Polyp Scleractinia - large polyp stony corals). A common incorrect spelling is "Caulastrea".
They are widely used in the saltwater aquarium industry and are referred to as Flute Coral, Trumpet Coral, or Candy Cane Coral for the aquarium. Several species are known, including Caulastraea tumida and Caulastraea furcata, but an exact distinction is rarely made, as the skeleton of dead specimens would have to be examined microscopically for an exact identification.
Caulastraea have fleshy, cone-shaped polyps that sit at the end of a Branch-like skeleton. Although the polyps are completely separated, they are so densely packed that no interstitial spaces remain and they form a closed colony surface. The polyps reproduce by division. Neon yellow-green, mint or bicolored color varieties with beige or dark brown are common among the color morphs. Rarely striped specimens are also available. Frags can be made easily with Caulastraea by cutting off the individual branches with coral nippers or diagonal cutters. As a large-polyped stony coral, it has few demands on water quality in the marine aquarium and gets by with less light.
Because of the easy husbandry, good divisibility for Frags, robustness and bright color morphs Caulastraea are very popular in the marine aquarium and highly sought after especially by beginners and for newer tanks.
We use cookies on our website. Below you can choose whether and, if so, which non-essential cookies you would like to accept and you will receive further information about this.