Elkhorn coral colony
An elkhorn coral colony is a branching formation of the coral species Acropora palmata, found in shallow Caribbean reefs.
Also known as: elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata colony
How big is it?
2 m wide
Also 6.562 ft
Defined colony width · defined specimen
Typical recorded range: 1 m to 3.5 m.
A little perspective
About the same scale as Pyrosome colony.
Pyrosome colony: A pyrosome is a hollow, free-floating colony of many small filter-feeding tunicates joined in a tube.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Elkhorn coral colony
A defined mature elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) colony 2 m wide and 1.2 m high. Branch growth and breakage produce irregular colonies; the basal reef substrate is excluded from both spans.
NOAA Fisheries — Elkhorn coral
The marked defined colony width is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Pyrosome colony
A defined 2 m long, 30 cm wide free-swimming pyrosome colony. Thousands of zooids form its hollow gelatinous tube; species and colony age produce sizes from centimetres to several metres.
The marked defined colony length is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 2 m
For comparison, this page uses defined colony width. This is labelled defined specimen: an explicit comparison model rather than a claim that every example has the same value. The recorded range is 1 m to 3.5 m.
A defined mature elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) colony 2 m wide and 1.2 m high. Branch growth and breakage produce irregular colonies; the basal reef substrate is excluded from both spans.
The marked horizontal span follows the named feature; transparent margins and unmeasured details do not alter it. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Elkhorn coral colony dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 m | 1 m to 3.5 m | defined specimen | |
| 1.2 m | 60 cm to 2 m | defined specimen |
Around this scale
Go smaller. Go bigger.
These links use compatible length records, ordered around the selected value.
Nearest lower value · Living thingsBrain coral colony1.5 mA brain coral colony is a living mound-shaped formation of coral polyps that secrete a grooved, dome-like calcium carbonate skeleton.
Around the same scale · Living thingsBrown bear2 mA brown bear is a large omnivorous mammal found in forests and mountainous regions of Eurasia and North America.
Nearest higher value · Living thingsTiger2.1 mA tiger is a solitary wild cat with a striped coat, native to Asia.Sources and method
Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
- NOAA Fisheries — Elkhorn coralBranching anatomy, habitat and colony-scale growth of Acropora palmata.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
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