Purple-tipped Acropora
Acropora tenuis
This neat corymbose (small plate) staghorn coral is distinguished from others with a similar shape by its flaring radial corallite lips. The corallites or the corallite rims often occurs in a range of bright colours such as orange, pink, blue or purple.
Morphology
Corybmose colonies, neat terete branches 6-12mm diameter and up to 90mm long. Evenly sized radial corallites, mostly touching on the branches with flaring rounded to squared off lips.
Evolution
Species age estimated to be 3.459 mya
Behaviour
A zooxanthellate coral which harbours symbiotic dinoflagelates in its tissues. The coral relies heavily on the energy produced during photosynthesis by these algae.
Method of reproduction
Hermaphroditic spawner
Habitat
Marine
Intertidal and subtidal to approx. 20m. Reef flats, slopes, backreefs.
Distribution
Indo-Pacific
Life Cycle
The zygote develops into a planktonic planula larva. Metamorphosis begins with early morphogenesis of tentacles, septa and pharynx before larval settlement on the aboral en
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Class: | Anthozoa |
| Subclass: | Hexacorallia |
| Order: | Scleractinia |
| Family: | Acroporidae |
| Genus: | Acropora |
| Species: | tenuis |
| Name Published Year: | 1846 |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name Authorship: | Dana |
| Commercial Impact: | Collected for the aquarium industry |
| Conservation Assessment: | Near Threatened |
Cite this page
Western Australian Museum Collections https://museum.wa.gov.au/online-collections/names/Acropora-tenuis
Accessed 26 Apr 2025
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