The polyps can withdraw back into the coral in response to movement or disturbance by potential predators, but when undisturbed, they protrude slightly.
Common causes of bleaching and coral death include pollution, abnormally warm water temperatures, increased ocean acidification, sedimentation, and eutrophication.
[7] Most Acropora species are brown or green, but a few are brightly colored, and those rare corals are prized by aquarists.
They require bright light, stable temperatures, regular addition of calcium and alkalinity supplements, and clean, turbulent water.
Common parasites of colonies in reef aquariums are "Acropora-eating flatworms" Amakusaplana acroporae,[9] and "red bugs" (Tegastes acroporanus).