It can inhabit any reef habitat to depths of 50 m. This species, which may become threatened with the global decline of coral reefs, is a popular coral used in aquariums.

A. echinata colonies crustlike to very thick and reach up to about a meter across.

[3] This is a very widespread coral and the most common species in genus Acanthastrea.

Like other corals, it is threatened by the overall loss of reef habitat, but its abundance makes it resilient as a species.

It is also tolerant of a variety of reef habitat conditions, growing successfully at a range of depths and light levels.