Staghorn Coral
Acropora cervicornis
Staghorn corals are a stony coral with thick branching arms. Related to anemones and sea jellies, these structures are formed by colonies of small animals called polyps who live together with a symbiotic algae. Staghorn corals grow quickly, forming thick reefs that provide homes for many animals in tropical waters. They are affected by warming conditions caused by climate change. The Aquarium of the Pacific is helping to restore coral reefs through efforts with SECORE International.
Originally published: May 17, 2018
Last updated: February 10, 2026
Credit: David Burdick / NOAA
Credit: Kevin Lino / NOAA
SPECIES IN DETAIL
Staghorn Coral
Acropora cervicornis
CONSERVATION STATUS: Critically endangered
Geographic Distribution
The Bahamas, Florida, the Caribbean Sea, western Gulf of Mexico.
Habitat
Staghorn corals require clear, oxygenated, warm tropical waters and they can live to a depth of approximately 98 feet (30 meters) with gentle wave action.
Physical Characteristics
These corals can be golden, tan, or light brown in color with white tips. They have thick antler-like branches that form dense groups within a reef.
Size
4 m (8 ft) in diameter, 1.2 m (4 ft) high.
Diet
They receive the majority of their nutrition from photosynthetic zooxanthellae living within their tissues, with the remainder from plankton captured with their tentacles.
Reproduction
They reproduce both sexually and asexually. Eggs and sperm are released into the water where fertilization takes place. The larvae then drifts in the ocean currents and settles onto the reef or nearby hard surfaces. They then start to build a hard skeleton made of calcium carbonate around themselves. Asexual reproduction occurs when a branch breaks off, which can reattach to surfaces, and continue growing.
Behavior
Staghorn coral grow fast in order to out compete other corals and take over more reef space.
Adaptation
Corals have a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae, a photosynthetic algae, living within their tissues. Photosynthesis by the algae provides the majority of the coral polyp’s food. The coral polyp in return provides a home for the algae.
Longevity
This coral can live for hundreds of years.
Conservation
Staghorn corals are affected by warming waters due to climate change. This causes the symbiotic algae within them to be expelled and the coral to lose a source of food. Corals are also impacted by ocean acidification which makes it harder for their skeletons to form. The Aquarium of the Pacific is helping to restore coral reefs as part of efforts through SECORE International. They have helped collect coral gametes (reproductive cells) and grow them into small coral embryos at places like the Aquarium. These small corals can then be outplanted back into the ocean.
Special Notes
Staghorn corals can grow very quickly, up to 8 inches a year!
SPECIES IN DETAIL | Print full entry
Staghorn Coral
Acropora cervicornis
CONSERVATION STATUS: Critically endangered
The Bahamas, Florida, the Caribbean Sea, western Gulf of Mexico.
Staghorn corals require clear, oxygenated, warm tropical waters and they can live to a depth of approximately 98 feet (30 meters) with gentle wave action.
These corals can be golden, tan, or light brown in color with white tips. They have thick antler-like branches that form dense groups within a reef.
4 m (8 ft) in diameter, 1.2 m (4 ft) high.
They receive the majority of their nutrition from photosynthetic zooxanthellae living within their tissues, with the remainder from plankton captured with their tentacles.
They reproduce both sexually and asexually. Eggs and sperm are released into the water where fertilization takes place. The larvae then drifts in the ocean currents and settles onto the reef or nearby hard surfaces. They then start to build a hard skeleton made of calcium carbonate around themselves. Asexual reproduction occurs when a branch breaks off, which can reattach to surfaces, and continue growing.
Staghorn coral grow fast in order to out compete other corals and take over more reef space.
Corals have a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae, a photosynthetic algae, living within their tissues. Photosynthesis by the algae provides the majority of the coral polyp’s food. The coral polyp in return provides a home for the algae.
This coral can live for hundreds of years.
Staghorn corals are affected by warming waters due to climate change. This causes the symbiotic algae within them to be expelled and the coral to lose a source of food. Corals are also impacted by ocean acidification which makes it harder for their skeletons to form. The Aquarium of the Pacific is helping to restore coral reefs as part of efforts through SECORE International. They have helped collect coral gametes (reproductive cells) and grow them into small coral embryos at places like the Aquarium. These small corals can then be outplanted back into the ocean.
Staghorn corals can grow very quickly, up to 8 inches a year!