Acropora selago

Occurring in

Indian Ocean
Indopacific
Northern Pacific
Red Sea
South Pacific

0-0m

NightActive

not endangered

With their umbrella-like growth pattern, the colonies resemble a flower unfolding and blooming as it reaches toward the sun. The Acropora selago forms colonies up to 75 cm in diameter. Unlike many corals that grow from a central base, this species attaches sideways to the substrate, spreading out in clusters of short, slender, umbrella-shaped branches—like an elegant underwater bouquet.

Habitat

Rocky Reef

Special features

With their umbrella-like growth pattern, the colonies resemble a flower unfolding and blooming as it reaches toward the sun.

selago_antler corals_acropora_selago2_divedict_underwaterworld_diving_biological_lexicon

Appearance

The Acropora selago forms colonies up to 75 cm in diameter. Unlike many corals that grow from a central base, this species attaches sideways to the substrate, spreading out in clusters of short, slender, umbrella-shaped branches—like an elegant underwater bouquet.Its polyps come in a stunning range of colors: brown, green, blue, bluish-brown, or reddish.

Natural enemies

Fish

Dangerous/Venomous

Selago antler coral is neither dangerous nor venomous.

Sketch

Acropora selago_divedict_meeresbiologie_tauchen 1

1. polyps

2. exoskeleton

Pro tips

Like many tropical corals, Acropora selago live in close symbiosis with zooxanthellae — microscopic algae that provide energy through photosynthesis. Sometimes the polyps even stretch out during the day — a nice spectacle for divers with a trained eye.
It prefers to settle in sheltered shallow-water reefs, especially in lagoons, where calm water and plenty of sunlight create optimal conditions.

selago_antler corals_acropora_selago_divedict_underwater world_diving_biological_lexicon

Text: Carolina Leiter

Pic: Felician Hosp

Illustration: Dive Dict