Staghorn corals  (Acropora spp.)

This is the most abundant coral of most reefs in the Indo-Pacific (2), and three species also occur in the western Atlantic and Caribbean region (3).

Staghorn corals occur in tropical reef environments, down to a depth of 30 meters. The upper depth limit is defined by wave action, whilst the lower limit at which Acropora can inhabit is determined by light availability and the amount of suspended sediments. Staghorn corals require normal marine salinity (4).