Species Type:
Corals, Invertebrates
Common Name(s):
Staghorn coral
Size:
A colony of staghorn coral can grow up to four feet (1.2 meters) in height and six feet (1.8 meters) in diameter.
Diet:
Staghorn coral have photosynthetic algae in their cells that allow them to turn sunlight into food. They also capture and eat plankton floating around in their environment.
Range & Habitat:
Staghorn corals live in shallow waters (15–60 feet) throughout the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea and northern Atlantic Ocean.
Details:
Staghorn coral is golden yellow-tan in color. Its branches resemble antlers, stemming from a central stump and reaching outwards. Once a dominant species in Caribbean coral reefs, staghorn coral has faced significant declines due to environmental stressors like disease and climate change. Staghorn coral may appear white at the tips if it’s experiencing new growth.