WHATSTHATFISH
Corals & anemones

Divaricata Coral

Acropora divaricata

Also known as: Acroporid Coral, Branching Coral, Bushy Acropora, Small Polyp Stone Coral, Staghorn Coral, Table Coral

ENEndangeredIUCN Red List, 2024
Adult
@fishx6 · Gangehi, Maldives · April 20071 / 5
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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.

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How to identify

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

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Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-Pacific
  • Country only · 5
LIVES IN

Found in colonies over reef slopes and submerged reeds of lagoons and fringing reefs.

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Adult photos 5

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Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumCnidaria
    3. classHexacorallia
    4. orderScleractinia
    5. familyAcroporidae
    6. genusAcropora
    7. speciesAcropora divaricata (Dana, 1846)

    SourcesWoRMSCorals of the World

    06

    More in the family

    Stony Corals (Acroporidae)