Orange Clownfish, also known as Percula Clownfish or Clown Anemonefish, is a well-known aquarium fish.
It eats algae, zooplankton, worms, and small crustaceans. Orange Clownfish is found at shallower depths than A.ocellaris species of clownfish.
Keeping this fish in captivity can be difficult. Orange Clownfish usually lives with sea anemones like other clownfish (anemonefish) in its natural environment.
This fish specifically lives with Heteractis magnifica and Stichodactyla gigantea anemones.
It also associates itself with three other types of sea anemones: Heteractis crispa, Heteractic magnifica, and Stichodcatyla gigantea.
While young, Orange Clownfish use chemical signals from the anemones to find a suitable host for protection. Choosing its host anemone is important for its survival.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority controls how many permits are given to collect these fish from the wild.
Anemonefish and anemones rely on each other; the fish attract other fish which the anemone stings with its tentacles.
The anemone protects the fish from predators, while the fish feeds it and helps keep it clean.
There are different ideas about how these fish avoid getting hurt by their host’s sting.
One study found that the mucus produced by the fish stopped the stinging cells of the anemone from activating.
Orange Clownfish Interesting Facts
- Orange Clownfish have a unique relationship with sea anemones, using them for protection and avoiding their sting through mucus production.
- They live in groups with a breeding pair and non-breeders. If the female dies, the male changes gender, and a non-breeder takes its place.
- Orange Clownfish are found in the western Pacific near locations like the Great Barrier Reef but are absent from New Caledonia or Fiji Islands.
- These fish grow up to 4.3 inches (11.0 centimeters) long, have orange bodies with white bands and black borders, and inhabit depths of 1 to 15 meters.
Orange Clownfish Habitat
Orange Clownfish is found in the Western Pacific. It lives near Queensland, Melanesia, the northern Great Barrier Reef, northern New Guinea, New Britain, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.
However, it’s not found in New Caledonia or Fiji Islands. Orange Clownfish is often mixed up with another fish called Amphiprion ocellaris.
Orange Clownfish lives in reefs and doesn’t migrate. It’s found at depths of 1 to 15 meters (about 3 to 49 feet) in tropical waters from latitudes 6°S to 26°S and longitudes 141°E to 155°E.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Orange Clownfish Physical Characteristics
Size: 4.3 inches (11.0 centimeters)
Orange Clownfish has three white bands with black borders. It grows up to 4.3 inches (11.0 centimeters) long.
The fins are also orange and have black edges. This fish has 9 to 10 dorsal spines, 14 to 17 dorsal soft rays, 2 anal spines, and 11 to 13 anal soft rays.
Its body depth is about two times its length.
Orange Clownfish Reproduction
Orange Clownfish live in groups with a breeding pair and up to four non-breeding fish. The group has a hierarchy based on size.
The female is the largest, followed by the male, and then the non-breeders get smaller down the order.
If the female dies, the male changes gender to become a female, and the largest non-breeder takes over as the male breeder.
The size difference helps maintain peace within their social structure. Orange Clownfish lays eggs that stick to surfaces underwater.
Males protect and provide oxygen for these eggs during development.
Orange Clownfish Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Family: | Pomacentridae |
| Genus: | Amphiprion |
| Scientific Name: | Amphiprion percula |
| Also Known As: | Orange Clownfish, Percula Clownfish, Clown Anemonefish |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |