Divaricata Coral
Acropora divaricata
Also known as: Acroporid Coral, Branching Coral, Bushy Acropora, Small Polyp Stone Coral, Staghorn Coral, Table Coral
- Acroporid Coral
- Branching Coral
- Bushy Acropora
- Small Polyp Stone Coral
- Staghorn Coral
- Table Coral
Overview
Found in colonies over reef slopes and submerged reeds of lagoons and fringing reefs. Colonies are generally branching and vary from perforated plates to cushion shaped. Colour varies.
Stony corals have hard stony skeletons, their polyps have six tentacles or are made up of multiples of six. These are usually nocturnal, however if the sky's are overcast, then many will feed during the day.
Generally the more robust corals life on exposed areas, while the smaller corals live in sheltered lagoons or deeper waters.
Stony corals are reef building corals and embedded in their flesh are thousands of minute single-celled marine plants called zooxanthellae which accounts for their colour.
These corals support a huge diversity of life, their main predator being the crown-of-thorns sea star.
How to identify
Habitat & where to find it
- Range · Indo-Pacific
- Country only · 5
Found in colonies over reef slopes and submerged reeds of lagoons and fringing reefs.
Adult photos 5
Discussion
No comments yet. Seen one, or got a question about it? Start the discussion.
Deep dive
Taxonomy
- kingdomAnimalia
- phylumCnidaria
- classHexacorallia
- orderScleractinia
- familyAcroporidae
- genusAcropora
- speciesAcropora divaricata (Dana, 1846)
SourcesWoRMSCorals of the World
More in the family
Stony Corals (Acroporidae)

Bottlebrush Coral
Acropora echinata
2 photos

Branching Table Coral
Acropora valenciennesii
1 photo

Cluster Coral
Acropora millepora
2 photos

Dendrum Coral
Acropora dendrum
1 photo

False Flower Coral
Anacropora forbesi
1 photo

Fine Table Coral
Acropora cytherea
3 photos

Finger Coral
Acropora humilis
6 photos

Flower Pot Coral
Alveopora fenestrata
1 photo

Formosa Coral
Acropora muricata
6 photos

Granular Coral
Acropora granulosa
1 photo

Lamarcki Coral
Acropora lamarcki
4 photos

Lattice Coral
Acropora clathrata
5 photos