You can find Elkhorn Coral in shallow water in coral reefs throughout Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean. Elkhorn Coral is either yellow or yellowish-brown with complex antler-like branches. On average, Elkhorn Coral colonies grow about 6 feet in height and 43 ft in length.

Elkhorn Coral: Federally Threatened

The rising temperature of the ocean as a result of global warming is the single greatest threat to this coral species, as well as coral reefs more generally worldwide. When corals are stressed by warm ocean temperatures, they experience bleaching – which means they expel the colorful algae upon which they rely for energy and growth. Many corals die or succumb to disease after bleaching. Mass bleaching events have become much more frequent and severe as ocean temperatures have risen in recent decades.

Another threat, ocean acidification, caused by the ocean’s absorption of carbon dioxide, weakens the ability of corals to build their protective skeletons. Scientists have predicted that most of the world’s coral reefs will disappear by the mid-century due to global warming and ocean acidification unless carbon dioxide pollution is rapidly reduced.

Impacts from land-based sources of pollution—including coastal development, deforestation (clearing a wide area of trees), oil and chemical spills—can delay or prevent coral growth and reproduction, and cause disease.

The IUCN (the International Union for Conservation of Nature) lists Elkhorn Coral as Critically Endangered (CR).

How You Can Help the Elkhorn Coral

You can help the Elkhorn Coral by recycling and disposing of trash properly, Marine debris can be harmful to coral reefs.

Don’t fish so much! Like many corals, overfishing affects Elkhorn Coral by reducing fish populations that feed on harmful macroalgae. Macroalgae damage Elkhorn Coral by producing toxic chemicals and by decreasing the nearby available oxygen. Also, macroalgae reduce the amount of suitable areas where Elkhorn Coral larvae attach, reducing the ability for Elkhorn reefs to recover.

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