Characters: Colonies consist of dense thickets of prostrate tapered, curving branches which occasionally fuse. Sub-branches are formed at frequent intervals and branch acutely. Axial corallites are moderately exsert. Incipient axial corallites cover the upper surface of horizontal branches. Radial corallites are of two sizes on main branches. On sub-branches they are exsert and tubular, with fine fluted margins giving colonies a spiky surface.
Colour: Brown, blue and yellow.
Similar Species: Acropora sekiseiensis, which has a distinct branching pattern and more branchlets. See also A. tumida and A. parahemprichii both of which have relatively straight branches.
Habitat: Shallow reef slopes and flats.
Abundance: Occasionally locally common, usually rare.
Taxonomic Note: Wallace (1999) and Wallace, Done and Muir (2012) considered this species to be a junior synonym of Acropora donei. However, these species co-occur and are distinct, A. akajimensis being readily distinguished by its larger, sprawling, indeterminate branching pattern as compared with the determinate growth of table or side-attached plate forms of A. donei.
Taxonomic References: Veron (1990a); Veron (2000a);
Identification Guides: Nishihira and Veron (1995);
