Galaxea acrhelia
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galaxea_acrhelia
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Galaxea acrhelia faces severe pressure from ocean warming and acidification, which compromise its calcium carbonate skeleton formation and trigger bleaching events. Coastal development and sedimentation from land-based activities smother coral colonies and reduce water quality in shallow reef environments. Collection for the marine aquarium trade has historically impacted accessible populations, though this pressure has decreased with improved captive propagation techniques.
Habitat
Galaxea acrhelia inhabits shallow coral reef environments in the Indo-Pacific, typically found in lagoons and reef flats at depths of 1-20 meters. This hard coral species prefers areas with moderate water flow and good light penetration, often forming extensive colonies on reef slopes and protected back-reef areas.
