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Staghorn Coral (Acropora cervicornis)

Marine invertebrateCnidarianStony coralConservation priority

Staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis), an antler-like branching coral.

Staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis), Bahamas.

Image: James St. John, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Overview

Staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) is a branching stony coral named for its antler-like growth, with slender cylindrical branches that form dense thickets. It is one of the fastest-growing of all reef corals, and historically it was a major builder of Caribbean reefs, creating complex habitat for fish and other reef life.

Like other reef corals, each colony is built of countless tiny polyps that share a hard skeleton and rely heavily on symbiotic algae for energy. Its quick growth lets staghorn coral build reef structure rapidly — but also makes it fragile.

Conservation note: staghorn coral has declined dramatically and is widely recognised as critically endangered, hit hard by disease, bleaching from warming seas, storms, and other pressures. It is a major focus of reef restoration. Verify current status at authoritative sources.

Habitat & Range

Staghorn coral grows in warm, clear, shallow waters of the Caribbean and western Atlantic, typically on fore-reef and back-reef areas with good light and water movement. Its thickets once dominated many shallow Caribbean reefs.

Diet

Staghorn coral feeds by capturing plankton with the stinging tentacles of its polyps and, crucially, by drawing energy from the photosynthetic algae living in its tissues. This algal partnership supports the coral's rapid growth in sunlit shallow water.

Behavior

Staghorn coral grows quickly for a coral, extending its branches and spreading. It can reproduce both by spawning (releasing eggs and sperm) and by fragmentation — broken branches can reattach and grow into new colonies, a trait now used in coral nurseries and restoration projects to regrow lost reef.

Human Interaction & Conservation

Once a cornerstone of Caribbean reefs, staghorn coral's steep decline has made it a flagship for coral conservation. Restoration programmes grow fragments in underwater nurseries and replant them on degraded reefs. Reducing the underlying threats — especially warming seas and disease — is essential. Consult authoritative sources for current status.

More photos of the staghorn coral

A thicket of staghorn coral branches.

Staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis), Haiti.

Image: Nhobgood (talk · contribs) Nick Hobgood, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently Asked Questions — Staghorn Coral

Why is staghorn coral important?
It is one of the fastest-growing reef corals and historically built much of the structure of shallow Caribbean reefs. Its branching thickets create shelter and habitat for many fish and other animals, so its loss affects the whole reef community.
Why is staghorn coral endangered?
Staghorn coral has declined dramatically due to disease (such as white-band disease), bleaching driven by warming seas, storm damage, and other pressures. It is widely recognised as critically endangered, and its fragile branching form makes it especially vulnerable.
Can staghorn coral be regrown?
Yes — and this is central to its conservation. Because broken fragments can reattach and keep growing, restoration projects grow staghorn pieces in underwater nurseries and transplant them onto damaged reefs. Tackling the root threats remains essential for long-term success.
Is staghorn coral one animal?
No — it's a colony. Each staghorn coral is made of many tiny animals called polyps that share a single branching skeleton, growing together to form the antler-like structure.

Sources and further reading

Authoritative wildlife references used for general educational context. Conservation status should always be verified against current IUCN Red List data. External links open in a new tab.