It is found in shallow water in various reef habitats, particularly on gently sloping surfaces, in tropical parts of the western and central Indo-Pacific region.

Colonies of Pavona decussata are submasive structures, usually with leafy appendages or branches.

The corallites are between 2 and 3 millimetres (0.08 and 0.12 in) in diameter and are mostly scattered irregularly, but are sometimes in rows parallel to the margins of the leaves or of the radial ridges.

It is a fairly common species and occurs in various reef habitats especially on sloping surfaces, at depths down to about 15 metres (50 ft).

The population trend is unknown, however this coral is susceptible to bleaching, and it is probable that the number of mature colonies is decreasing as a result of destruction of its reef habitats.