Typically found in shallow, warm waters of coral reefs.
Distribution
Widespread in the Indo-Pacific region.
Conservation status
Least Concern
Edibility
Not edible. Coral skeleton and living tissue are not food; do not collect, damage, or consume coral.
Danger level
Caution
Behaviour
Colonial, sessile reef-building coral. The polyps generally extend their tentacles mainly at night or during feeding. Most of the energy comes from symbiotic photosynthetic algae, supplemented by plankton capture.
Observation zones
Shallow reef, reef flat, reef crest, lagoon and reef slope.
Diet
Primarily the products of photosynthesis of symbiotic dinoflagellate algae (zooxanthellae); also captures zooplankton and suspended organic particles with its polyps.
Reproduction
Oviparous
Identification marks
Rigid colony of calcium carbonate, erect and repeatedly branched, shaped like antlers, a bush, or sometimes a table. Acropora typically have a distinct axial corallite at the branch tips and smaller radial corallites along the branches. Species identification requires careful examination and often the advice of a specialist.
Similar species
Often confused with other branching hard corals, especially Pocillopora, Stylophora, Seriatopora and branching Montipora. Acropora is distinguished by a prominent axial corallite at each growing branch tip; color and growth form alone do not allow reliable identification to species level.
Approach rules
Observe without contact. Maintain perfect buoyancy and a distance preventing fins, equipment, or sediment from touching the colony; at least 1 to 2 m is prudent when conditions permit. Do not stand on, hold onto, feed, collect, or break the coral. Avoid flash if it risks disturbing nearby animals and never handle the colony for a photo.
Protection
The name provided is not a valid scientific name at the species level; therefore, no species-specific assessment can be assigned. Hard corals (order Scleractinia), including Acropora, are generally listed in CITES Appendix II; their international trade is regulated. Reef conservation measures and local protections may also apply.
