Acropora Short Polyps Stony Coral. Depending On The Species And Location, Acropora Species May Grow As Plates Or Slender Or Broad Branches. Like Other Corals, Acropora Corals Are Colonies Of Individual Polyps, Which Are About 2 Mm Across And Share Tissue And A Nerve Net. The Polyps Can Withdraw Back Into The Coral In Response To Movement Or Disturbance By Potential Predators, But When Undisturbed, They Protrude Slightly. The Polyps Typically Extend Further At Night To Help Capture Plankton And Organic Matter From The Water. Acropora Is Most Common In Shallow Reef Environments With Bright Light And Moderate To High Water Motion. Many Small Reef Fishes Live Near Their Colonies And Retreat Into The Thicket Of Branches If Threatened.

KEYWORDS

acropora short polyps stony coral depending species location may grow plates slender broad branches like corals colonies individual across share tissue nerve net can withdraw back response movement disturbance potential predators undisturbed protrude slightly typically extend night help capture plankton organic matter wateracropora common shallow reef environments bright light moderate high water motion many small fishes live near retreat thicket threatened