Fish identification archive / Elkhorn Coral

Elkhorn Coral

Acropora palmata

Fun facts for your next surface interval

A natural branch fragment can help start another colony. [source]
Thickets provide complex shelter for other reef life. [source]
Colonies produce both eggs and sperm. [source]

Florida and local context

NOAA identifies Acropora palmata specifically at Carysfort South in its description of the named shallow reef.

A documented past record does not establish present abundance or guarantee an encounter.

Sources: Local occurrence: South Carysfort Reef, Key Largo, Florida

How to recognize this animal

Broad, flattened antler-like branches rise from a central base. Living colonies are commonly golden tan or light brown with pale tips; the wide branches distinguish the familiar elkhorn form from slender staghorn.

Sources: Species biology and identification reference

Size and life stages

NOAA reports colonies reaching at least 6 ft high and 12 ft across. These are height and diameter, not fish-style body length, so the directory size band remains unassigned.

Sources: Species biology and identification reference

Habitat and where to look

Typically a clear, shallow, wave-exposed reef animal, often around 1–15 ft deep. Its Carysfort South source documents a named reef, not a promise of surviving colonies today.

Sources: Species biology and identification reference

Range and local context

The local evidence is South Carysfort Reef, Key Largo, Florida. NOAA identifies Acropora palmata specifically at Carysfort South in its description of the named shallow reef. This documents a particular record rather than continuous occupancy throughout the corridor.

Sources: Local occurrence: South Carysfort Reef, Key Largo, Florida

What is on the menu?

Its polyps capture plankton, while photosynthetic algae living in the tissue supply additional food.

Sources: Species biology and identification reference

Daily habits and behavior

Branches interlock into thickets that shelter reef animals; storms can break that framework.

Sources: Species biology and identification reference

Mating and the next generation

Natural fragmentation and sexual broadcast spawning both contribute to reproduction. Colonies produce eggs and sperm, with sexual spawning generally after a late-summer full moon.

Sources: Species biology and identification reference

Look-alikes and identification traps

The broad elkhorn branch form is an important first clue. Do not assign damaged or intermediate-looking Acropora colonies from a silhouette alone; the source describes typical colonies rather than a complete identification key.

Sources: Species biology and identification reference

Observe without disturbing

Keep fins and equipment clear; photograph without touching or disturbing the colony or nearby sediment.

Sources: NOAA responsible diving

Harvest, protection and eating safety

Protected: no recreational take

Verified coral harvest prohibition, not a seasonal closure. Special scientific permits are not recreational permission.

This color is a qualified summary, not permission to collect or a guarantee that a particular animal is safe to eat.

Can it be hunted or harvested?

This species is a stony coral (Scleractinia), for which FWC prohibits harvest. Leave the colony and fragments in place; do not collect, damage or remove.

Florida seasons and areas

No recreational open season. Florida coral prohibitions apply to state and adjacent federal harvest; sanctuary and park protections also apply. Check mapped boundaries before any take. Blue Heron Bridge prohibits marine-life collection within the designated dive-site area, not all county fishing. Biscayne prohibits ornamental collection without a superintendent permit and has a mapped March 1–May 31 fishing/possession closure, effective March 2026, with properly stowed continuous transit excepted. Pennekamp prohibits tropical-fish collection and spearfishing. Key Largo Management Area prohibits taking tropical fish and marine invertebrates; the latter exceptions are commercial spiny-lobster/stone-crab trapping and recreational spiny-lobster hand/hand-gear take under applicable rules, not recreational crab collection. It separately prohibits spearfishing. Sanctuary Preservation Areas prohibit fishing and collection subject only to expressly stated exceptions. These are site restrictions, not a corridor-wide fishing ban.

Can it be speared?

Do not spear, damage or remove this coral. Protected-site rules provide additional restrictions.

Is it safe to eat?

No species/site-specific food-safety clearance or meal frequency was established. Legal harvest does not mean safe to eat; some marine toxins survive cooking and freezing. Consult current Florida Health guidance and local advisories. No dated, species-matched local menu evidence was verified; recipes remain disabled.

This species is a stony coral (Scleractinia), for which FWC prohibits harvest.

This review covers the Vero Beach–Key Largo Atlantic corridor: Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. Florida Atlantic state waters and South Atlantic federal waters are distinct jurisdictions. Do not extend a state-water season tag to federal waters or transfer Atlantic rules to Gulf-side Keys waters. Park and sanctuary boundaries can override a species allowance.

Before you act: Confirm the species, date, exact management area, state or federal waters, gear, licenses and current local closures. A local occurrence record never grants permission to take an animal.

Official rules and health guidance

Reviewed 2026-11-11. Rules and advisories can change; check the linked authorities before acting.

Identification and source cautions

A historical record does not establish current colony survival or abundance.
Color and growth form can vary; illustrative field clues are not a complete taxonomic key.
Colony width, height and reproductive size are not interchangeable with fish-style body length.
Legal and image review remain separate publication gates.

Sources and review

Biology and taxonomy reviewed 2026-11-11. Photographs on cited sites are reference material and are not reproduced here.

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