Invertebrate · GBIF taxon 5184675
Brush Coral
Acropora hyacinthusAlso known as Table Coral, Hyacinth Coral, Branching Plate Coral
Brush corals form vast, table-like horizontal plates engineered to capture maximum sunlight for their symbiotic algae in shallow Pacific waters. These broad, pale brown or reddish-pink structures create intricate underwater canopy microhabitats, sheltering juvenile reef fish and invertebrates from open-water predators. Highly vulnerable to heat stress and ocean warming, entire colonies can bleach within weeks during prolonged marine heatwaves.
Reef BuildingCoral Reef
—observations
—countries
—peak records
EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Zooplankton
- Dissolved organic matter
Predators
- Crown-of-Thorns Starfish
- Parrotfish
- Butterflyfish
ThreatsOcean warming, marine heatwaves, bleaching, crown-of-thorns starfish
HabitatsShallow coral reefs, upper reef slopes, outer reef flats
Life spanDecades to centuries (colony level)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderScleractinia
- FamilyAcroporidae
- GenusAcropora
- SpeciesAcropora hyacinthus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance while diving or snorkeling.
- What to notice
- Recognized by wide, flat, table-like platelike growth covered in small upright brush-like branchlets.
- Support conservation
- Maintain careful buoyancy control while diving or snorkeling to avoid kicking or touching the delicate frame.
Responsible observation
- Buoyancy Control: Practice precise buoyancy to avoid touching or striking the fragile, brittle skeleton.
- Sunscreen Selection: Wear mineral-based, reef-safe sun protection to prevent chemical damage to coral polyps.
- Eco Etiquette: Never anchor boats directly on live coral structures or kick up sediment nearby.
Predator "Crown of thorns starfish eating coral, Fiji" by Derek Keats is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Reef Companion (c) portioid, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative Nhobgood Nick Hobgood / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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