This large coral is similar in appearance to the Atlanic Acropora palmata, the Atlantic Elkhorn coral. Australian scientists ran across some colonies at Arno Atoll in the Marshalls a few years ago and these were considered possibly a new species, or maybe a form of Acropora abrotanoides. However, corals we are calling A. abrotanoides are quite different and do not appear to be the same species. Pacific Elkhorn is common at Kwajalein Atoll on interisland reefs and lagoon pinnacles, particularly those that get frequent flowing water from tidal currents crossing the reef or entering and leaving atoll passes.
This species has been subject to bleaching when the water temperature reaches 30°C.
Created 7 May 2020