Orange skunk clownfish

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Found in the Western Indo-Pacific, from the Philippines and Indonesia to Northern Australia. Inhabits outer reef slopes and clear lagoons, hosting primarily in Stichodactyla mertensii.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Member of the Pomacentridae family. Slimmer and more elongated body shape than other clownfishes. Grows to about 11 cm (4.3 inches), with females being larger.

Social Behavior: One of the most peaceful and shy clownfish species. Lives in pairs or small family units within their host anemone, controlled by a dominant female.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Uniform bright orange or apricot coloration with a single white stripe along the dorsal ridge from the snout to the caudal fin. Females are larger than males.

Aquarium Setup: Minimum tank size of 100 liters (25 gallons). Provide mature reef conditions. They feel most secure when provided with a host anemone like Stichodactyla mertensii.

Diet and Feeding: Prefers smaller foodstuffs. Feed frozen brine shrimp, mysis, marine copepods, along with small marine pellets, flakes, and vegetable matter.

Water Quality: Requires clean, well-oxygenated water: temperature 24-27°C (75-81°F), pH 8.1-8.4, specific gravity 1.020-1.025, and KH 8-12. Keep nutrients low.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Safe for reef communities. Keep with peaceful tankmates like gobies and firefish. Avoid mixing with larger, highly aggressive clownfishes.

Aquarium Reproduction: Feasible in captivity. The pair spawns on rock surfaces near the anemone base. Raising larvae requires a steady supply of live rotifers.

Risks and Diseases: Easily stressed by boisterous tankmates, which can trigger diseases like Brooklynella hostilis and marine ich. Quarantine is highly recommended.