ID Help?

xsparx · May 30, 2026

Got this from my lfs, it was free because the guy didn’t think it was going to make it. I’m trying to lean towards a certain color scheme in my tank, and it would be great feeling if it survived lol.. and if not, it didn’t hurt to try.

So it inflates when it’s feeling really good and has these little arms that will reach out. It’s doing much better and I think we may actually make it lol. But it will deflate if the snails bother it too much but I think it’s due to the fact it’s so small still.

I actually don’t know what it is since I just started my tank after Christmas. Still in my learning stage, thank you!

Beachbilly · May 30, 2026

The candy cane coral (Caulastrea), also known as the trumpet coral, is a hardy, beginner-friendly Large Polyp Stony (LPS) coral.

StartingATank · May 31, 2026

Hard to tell but I am also leaning towards candy cane coral

DSC reef · May 31, 2026

We'll be able to get a better idea once the coral grows out and colors up a bit but I agree as well, look a lot like caulastrea.

Beachbilly · May 31, 2026

xsparx said:
Got this from my lfs, it was free because the guy didn’t think it was going to make it. I’m trying to lean towards a certain color scheme in my tank, and it would be great feeling if it survived lol.. and if not, it didn’t hurt to try.

So it inflates when it’s feeling really good and has these little arms that will reach out. It’s doing much better and I think we may actually make it lol. But it will deflate if the snails bother it too much but I think it’s due to the fact it’s so small still.

I actually don’t know what it is since I just started my tank after Christmas. Still in my learning stage, thank you!

Keep it on the sandbed and try target feeding small amounts of coral food everyother day or so but also turn off wavemakers for a while. Watch your phosphates don't climb too high. It will be great once the color comes back. (The image below isn't mine nor do I have them but I have Favia and Acans and they are very similar in terms of care.)