Western Clown Anemonefish, Amphiprion ocellaris Cuvier, 1830

Introduction

The Western Clown Anemonefish is orange with black markings on the fins. It has a white bar on the head, body and caudal peduncle. The middle bar usually has a rounded bulge anteriorly.

Identification

The Western Clown Anemonefish is orange with black markings on the fins. It has a white bar on the head, body and caudal peduncle. The middle bar usually has a rounded bulge anteriorly.

A black variety with white bars occurs around Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.

The species is closely related to the Clown Anemonefish, Amphiprion percula. It has 11 dorsal spines (10 in A.percula), and 17 pectoral rays (16 in A.percula).

Habitat

It typically inhabits coral reefs and is associated with the anemones Heteractis magnifica, Stichodactyla gigantea, S.mertensii and Stoichactis kenti.

The Western Clown Anemonefish is found in depths from 3 m to 15 m.

Distribution

The fish occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Malaysian region, from the Ryukyu Islands, Japan, throughout South-east Asia and south to Australia.

In Australia it is known from the north-western coast of Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

1. Allen, G.R. 1991. Damselfishes of the World. Mergus. Pp. 271.
2. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 220.
3. Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.