Acropora tenuis

Dana, 1846


This species shows wide geographic variation. Colonies from the western Indian Ocean and Red Sea are distinctive.

Description: Colonies are corymbose clumps, usually with neat evenly spaced delicate branchlets, but branchlets may be irregular and prostrate. Axial corallites are long and tubular. Radial corallites are arranged in a neat rosette and have slightly flaring lips.
Color: Yellow, cream, green or blue. Colours may be bright with distinctively coloured corallite lips.
Habitat: Upper reef slopes.
Abundance: Common in the western Pacific and Red Sea, uncommon elsewhere.
Similar Species: Acropora vermiculata, which has short axial corallites. See also A. selago, which has scale-like radial corallites not arranged in a rosette. Corymbose A. pulchra has smaller, scale-like radial corallites.

Taxonomic note: Colonies from the western Indian Ocean and Red Sea have relatively thin and rounded corallite walls. They have traditionally been called Acropora eurystoma (Klunzinger, 1879). Source reference: Veron (2000). Taxonomic references: Veron and Wallace (1984), Wallace (1999). Identification guides: Veron (1986), Nishihira and Veron (1995).

Showing the structure and colour of branchlets. Papua New Guinea Photograph: Charlie Veron


Compact branchlets in a habitat exposed to strong wave action. Great Barrier Reef, Australia Photograph: Charlie Veron


Showing the structure and colour of branchlets. Papua New Guinea Photograph: Charlie Veron


Showing the structure and colour of branchlets. Papua New Guinea Photograph: Charlie Veron


Corallite detail. Great Barrier Reef, Australia Photograph: Ed Lovell


Skeletal detail. Radial corallites.
Based on Australian Institute of Marine Science data