Elkhorn Coral has three methods by which it maintains its presence on the shallow reef crest.

#1 It breaks and gets tossed about during periods of rough weather, when inundated by herds of novice snorkelers or is subject to a boat grounding. If a fragmented piece of coral lands in a favorable position it will fuse to the bottom and continue to grow. This method of growth is called 'fragmentation'. However, continued exposure to physical assults reduces successful new coral growth.

#2 It buds like a flower and expands in size developing into branches. In image 17 the white edge around the outer boundaries of the living coral and the budding white tips, on the ends of the small new branches, are new growth.

#3 It releases sperm and eggs once a year, that when fertilized, can colonize the area they descend upon. Most of the reefs in the Keys are built upon piles of elkhorn coral rubble, thousands of years old, making this the most important species of coral in the Florida Keys.

Besides being battered by storms, novice snorkelers and boats, there is a snail that likes to eat elkhorn coral, the coralphilia (see coral stress).

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