Acropora Coral

Acropora genus

Acropora Coral

Acropora genus

Other Common Names
No other common names for the genus, but the many different species of Acropora coral go by a variety of names.

Connected Coasts

Other Common Names

No other common names for the genus, but the many different species of Acropora coral go by a variety of names.

At the Aquarium

Connected Coasts

Appearance

Acorpora coral comes in a diverse range of appearances. The shape, size and color of Acropora depends on the species. Some colonies are flat, while others have tree-like branches and some grow as thick pillow-like clumps.

Their polyps are usually extended only at night.

Habitat

Upper reef slopes where the water is clear. Habitat preferences vary between species.

Diet

Acropora coral receives most of its nutrients from its relationship with zooxanthellae, a type of algae that performs photosynthesis and lives within the coral. For more information on this special relationship continue reading here.

Acropora coral also eats zooplankton.

Life History

Most species of Acropora have light skeletons which allows them to grow quickly and take over the reef.

Acropora coral reproduce and grow similarly to other corals, releasing eggs and sperm into the water. Once eggs hatch they develop into larvae called planulae. Planulae float in ocean currents and eventually swim back down to the bottom. If conditions are favorable they will settle, developing into polyps and forming colonies. To learn more about how Acropora corals and other stony corals reproduce and grow, continue your reading here.

IUCN Status

Vulnerable, Endangered

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

Acropora corals are important reef-building corals, helping build and function as the foundation of reefs around the world.

Creatures all over the world rely on Acropora corals. For instance Coralliocaris graminea, a common shrimp, are found living within different species of Acropora corals.

Widely distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific, as well as the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.

This animal is not native to the Oregon Coast, however is found in the larger Pacific Ocean. It lives in the Aquarium as part of our Connected Coasts gallery.

The Acropora genus has the most species of coral compared to other genera of coral.

Citations & Other Resources

Mather, P., I. Bennett, and Australian Coral Reef Society. 1993. A Coral reef handbook: a guide to the geology, flora and fauna of the Great Barrier Reef. 3rd ed. Surrey Beatty & Sons, Chipping Norton, NSW.
Veron, J. E. N. 1986. Corals of Australia and the Indo-Pacific. Angus & Robertson, North Ryde, NSW, Australia.
Wood, E. M. 1983. Reef corals of the world: biology and field guide. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune City, NJ.

Acropora Coral

Acropora Coral

Other Common Names

At the Aquarium

Appearance

Habitat

Diet

Life History

IUCN Status

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

Citations & Other Resources

Contact Us

Subscribe to E-Newsletter

About Oregon Coast Aquarium