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ESA-Listed Indo-Pacific Coral Species Recovery Planning Workshop Summary
Recovery planning workshop summary report that was held in May 2021 for the 15 U.S. ESA-listed Indo…
Acropora tenella Coral
Acropora tenella Coral
Acropora tenella
Quick Facts
Lifespan
Up to hundreds of years
Threats
Climate change, including ocean warming and ocean acidification,
Diseases,
Land-based sources of pollution,
Habitat degradation,
Small population size,
Unsustainable fishing
Region
Foreign
About the Species
Acropora tenella is a species of coral likely found in the Coral Triangle area (the Philippines to Timor Leste and east to the Solomon Islands). There are also confirmed records of this species in southern Japan, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands. Colonies of Acropora tenella have horizontal, plate-like colonies with flattened branches that usually have a central ridge. Colonies are cream colored with blue or white tips.
Under the Endangered Species Act, NOAA Fisheries must list threatened and endangered marine species regardless of where they are found. Acropora tenella is listed as threatened throughout its range under the ESA.
Protected Status
ESA Threatened - Foreign
- Throughout Its Range
Appearance
Acropora tenella forms flat, plate-like colonies with flattened branches. These colonies are made up by many individual polyps that grow together. Colonies are cream colored with blue or white tips.
Biology
Acropora tenella gets food from photosynthetic algae that live inside the coral's cells. It also feeds by capturing plankton with its polyp’s tentacles.
Where They Live
Range
Acropora tenella is likely found in the Coral Triangle area, which stretches from the Philippines to Timor Leste and east to the Solomon Islands. It has also been seen in southern Japan, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands. Acropora tenella occurs on lower reef slopes and shelves in water 130 to 230 feet deep and is well-suited to calm, deep conditions.
World map providing approximate representation of Acropora tenella coral's range.
Scientific Classification
Acropora tenella is likely found in the Coral Triangle area, which stretches from the Philippines to Timor Leste and east to the Solomon Islands. It has also been seen in southern Japan, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands. Acropora tenella occurs on lower reef slopes and shelves in water 130 to 230 feet deep and is well-suited to calm, deep conditions.
| Kingdom | Animalia | Phylum | Cnidaria | Class | Anthozoa | Order | Scleractinia | Family | Acroporidae | Genus | Acropora | Species | tenella |
|---|
Featured News
Shallow water provides habitat for branching corals (Acropora spp), as seen here on a reef flat in Guam. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Jonathan Brown
Fish swim above a coral reef in the Caribbean. Credit: Tom Moore
Seafood Facts
Seafood News
Rainbow in the dusk sky at San Diego Harbor. Credit: NOAA/Liana Heberer.
The NOAA Aquaculture Strategic Plan (2023–2028) includes goals and objectives to sustainably develop the aquaculture industry in the United States. Credit: NOAA Aquaculture Program
Raw oysters on plate. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.