Characters: Colonies are usually open branched, becoming bushy on upper reef slopes and in shallow lagoons. Main branches of colonies in turbid water have irregular branchlets; those in shallow clear water have compact branchlets, giving colonies a bushy appearance. Corallites are irregular and the surface of branches is rough. Tentacles are usually extended during the day.
Colour: Usually pale blue (which may photograph pink or purple), sometimes dark blue or pale yellow or brown. Polyps are pale blue or white.
Similar Species: Acropora tortuosa. See also A. vaughani, which has widely spaced corallites and a smooth coenosteum.
Habitat: Turbid water around fringing reefs.
Abundance: Usually uncommon.
Taxonomic References: Wallace (1978); Veron and Wallace (1984); Wallace (1999); Veron (2000a); Wallace, Done and Muir (2012);
Identification Guides: Veron (1986a); Nishihira and Veron (1995); Turak and DeVantier (2011b);
