Clark's anemonefish

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Widely distributed throughout the Indo-West Pacific, from the Persian Gulf to Western Australia and southern Japan. Inhabits shallow coral reefs and lagoons, associating with many anemone species.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Member of the Pomacentridae family. Features a robust, deep body with a tail fin that ranges from white to bright yellow. Females are significantly larger than males, reaching up to 15 cm.

Social Behavior: Bold and active. Forms strict social structures where the dominant female rules the group. Highly territorial around its selected anemone or coral shelter.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Black or dark brown body with yellow-orange snout, chest, and fins, accented by two or three white bands. Protandrous hermaphrodite: the largest male converts into the female.

Aquarium Setup: A minimum tank size of 150 liters (40 gallons) is recommended. Provide ample live rock structure. While an anemone is not strictly required, it will readily host in large LPS corals.

Diet and Feeding: Voracious omnivore. Feed a varied diet of frozen mysis, brine shrimp, and chopped seafood, along with high-quality marine flakes, pellets, and marine algae.

Water Quality: Keep parameters stable: temperature 24-27°C (75-81°F), pH 8.1-8.4, specific gravity 1.020-1.025, and KH 8-12. Maintain low nitrate levels.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Good fit for reef communities. Do not mix different clownfish species in standard-sized tanks, as severe fighting will occur.

Aquarium Reproduction: Regularly bred in captivity. Eggs are deposited on flat surfaces near the host anemone, where the male guards and fans them until hatching.

Risks and Diseases: Highly susceptible to Brooklynella hostilis if not quarantined. Also vulnerable to marine ich (Cryptocaryon) and velvet (Oodinium) under poor water conditions.