This coral is now uncommon, though it is probably the most common of the two ’staghorn’ corals in many parts of the Caribbean region.

Branches can be over 1 m long and are slender, and colonies are usually loosely packed or ‘open’. Branches are round in cross-section, and sub-branches emerge nearly at right angles. The colony as a whole is much more open and loosely packed than Acropora prolifera, with which it may be mistaken.

Found in a wide range of depths. Living colonies are yellow, brown or golden in colour. Very often, clumps have dead basal parts to the branches.

Caribbean Acropora are listed as Endangered under the US Endangered Species Act.