Branching coral with thin antler-like branches — once dominant Caribbean reef-builder. Catastrophic decline of 95%+ since 1980s.

Native status: Native to Caribbean; federally threatened (US population)

§ Quick facts

SizeColonies up to 2 m tall
WeightN/A (colonial)
LifespanIndividual polyps 1–2 years; colonies decades
OrderScleractinia
FamilyAcroporidae

§ Encyclopedia

The staghorn coral is a branching, stony coral, within the Order Scleractinia. It is characterized by thick, upright branches which can grow in excess of 2 meters (6.5 ft) in height and resemble the antlers of a stag, hence the name, Staghorn. It grows within various areas of a reef but is most commonly found within shallow fore and back reefs, as well as patch reefs, where water depths rarely exceed 20 meters (65 ft). Staghorn corals can exhibit very fast growth, adding up to 5 cm in new skeleton for every 1 cm of existing skeleton each year, making them one of the fastest growing fringe coral species in the Western Atlantic. Due to this fast growth, Acropora cervicornis, serve as one of the most important reef building corals, functioning as marine nurseries for juvenile fish, buffer zones for erosion and storms, and center points of biodiversity in the Western Atlantic.

Source: Wikipedia — Staghorn coral Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Slender antler-like branches forming thickets; orange-tan to yellow-brown coloration; polyps extend at night to feed.

Similar species. Elkhorn Coral (broader branches; similar threats). Fused Staghorn (hybrid of staghorn and elkhorn). Other Acropora species (different ranges).

Voice. N/A

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Filter-feeds plankton; provides ~90% of energy through symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) inside polyp tissues.

Behavior. Fast-growing branching coral once dominant on Caribbean reefs; populations have declined by 80–98% since the 1980s due to white-band disease, coral bleaching from warming oceans, hurricane damage, and ocean acidification. Federally listed as threatened in 2006. Sexual reproduction once a year — massive synchronized spawning events release sperm and eggs into the water column during late summer full moons. Restoration projects "outplant" nursery-grown fragments to reefs in Florida Keys and Caribbean.

§ Range

Caribbean

§ Habitat

Caribbean coral reefs

§ Threats

Coral bleaching, disease, hurricanes, pollution.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the staghorn coral is currently classified as Critically Endangered.

§ What helps

Support coral reef protection. Reduce climate change. Skip non-reef-safe sunscreen.

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program
  • USFWS
  • Coral Restoration Foundation
  • IUCN Red List 2008