Wideband clownfish

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Restricted to eastern subtropical Australia, southern Queensland, New South Wales, and Lord Howe Island. Inhabits cooler rocky and coral reefs.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Member of the Pomacentridae family. Robust and deep-bodied. Grows to approximately 14 cm (5.5 inches) in length. Renowned for its extremely wide central white band.

Social Behavior: Territorial yet can be shy in a home aquarium. Forms stable pairs that dominate their territory. Easily stressed by overly aggressive or hyperactive tankmates.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Dark brown to black body with lighter snout and tail. Possesses three white bands, with the middle band being exceptionally wide. Females are larger than males.

Aquarium Setup: Minimum tank size of 150 liters (40 gallons). Plenty of live rock and caves are essential. Benefits from a host anemone such as Heteractis crispa.

Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous. Provide a high-quality, varied diet of frozen mysis, brine shrimp, marine pellets, flakes, and regular additions of marine algae.

Water Quality: Requires cooler water: 20-24°C (68-75°F) is essential (a chiller is usually required). Keep pH at 8.1-8.4, specific gravity at 1.020-1.025, and KH at 8-12.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Keep only with other temperate or subtropical marine species. Do not house with tropical species that require temperatures above 25°C.

Aquarium Reproduction: Rarely achieved in captivity. Spawning requires precise temperature controls simulating winter-summer shifts and highly specific live larval feeds.

Risks and Diseases: Highly susceptible to Brooklynella hostilis and velvet (Oodinium). Strict quarantine protocols and temperature stability are mandatory.