Two-banded clownfish

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Endemic to the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and northwestern Indian Ocean. Found in lagoons and outer reefs, associating with Entacmaea quadricolor and other anemones.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Member of the Pomacentridae family. Robust, deep body. Females grow larger than males, reaching a maximum length of about 14 cm (5.5 inches).

Social Behavior: Bold and territorial, especially around its nesting site or host anemone. Forms strong monogamous pairs that guard their selected territory closely.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Bright yellow to orange body, which can darken to brown-orange with age. Features two white vertical bands outlined in black. Females are larger than males.

Aquarium Setup: Minimum tank volume of 120 liters (30 gallons). Provide plenty of rocky structures. Benefits greatly from a host anemone but can adapt to large-polyp stony corals.

Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous. Readily accepts frozen brine shrimp, mysis, chopped seafood, marine pellets, flakes, and spirulina or algae-based feeds.

Water Quality: Requires stable marine conditions: temperature 24-28°C (75-82°F), pH 8.1-8.4, specific gravity 1.020-1.025, and KH 8-12. Prefers high water quality.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Territorial towards other clownfish species. Keep with active, robust reef species such as tangs, wrasses, and large damselfishes.

Aquarium Reproduction: Regularly spawns in captivity. The pair deposits adhesive eggs on clean rock surfaces near the host anemone. The male guards the nest.

Risks and Diseases: Exceptionally hardy, but quarantining new specimens is key to avoiding issues with Brooklynella hostilis and marine ich.