Amphiprion bicinctus (Red Sea Anemonfish)

Amphiprion bicinctus (Red Sea Anemonfish)

Written by Marina Parha and George J. Reclos Tuesday, 26 January 2010 00:00

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See photoalbum of Amphiprion bicinctus.

 

General  

Scientific Name or classification 

Amphiprion bicinctus  (Ruppel, 1830)

 

Common Name

Red Sea Anemonfish, Two-banded anemonefish.

Synonyms

None

Family

Pomacentridae

Type Locality

Et Tur, Sinai coast, Egypt, Gulf of Suez or Massawa, Eritrea, Red Sea

Etymology

From Greek: Amphi (= both) + prion (=saw)and from Latin: bi (= two) + cinctus (=stripes)
   

Species Information

Size (TL or SL in cm)

11 – 14 cm

Identification

Twoband anemonefish are yellow-orange with 2 black-edged white bands, the first running just behind the head, the second from the notch between the spinous and soft dorsal fin to the abdomen.

Sexing

No sexual dimorphism or visible marks.

 

Habitat

Natural distribution                

Western Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, and the Chagos archipelago. Reef-associated, non-migratory marine fish, which is found in a depth range of 1m to 30 m.

pH

Standard for tropical marine tanks (8.2-8.4)

Temperature

Standard for tropical marine tanks (24o-26oC)

Other parameters 

None.

 

Husbandry  

Feeding                               

Feed 2-3 times daily with meaty food. Shrimps, fozen mysis shrimp, vitamin – enriched brine shrimp, frozen preparations for herbivores. In nature it is reported to feed on benthic (bottom-dwelling) algae and occasionally on zooplankton.                              

Compatibility

An occasional specimen may wallow in the polyps of large-polyped stony corals, which could irritate the polyps and cause them to close. May eat small, ornamental shrimps. Best acquired as juveniles.

Suggested
Tankmates

Avoid large species which may feed on the clownfish. The clownfish itself should be better kept alone or in established pairs. Will attack other anemonefish and passive tankmates.

Furniture

Will adopt almost any sea anemone as a host.

Suitability for
reef tank

Ideal for the reef aquarium.

Recommended
Tank Size

114 L, 30 gal.

Behaviour in
Captivity 

Easily kept even by beginners. Extremely hardy fish will thrive in established tanks. Clownfish in aquariums have been observed bathing in air bubbles, a behaviour similar to the clownfish's behaviour within the tentacles of the anemone. (1)

Other remarks

 Will add colour and movement to any tank. Always alert and curious, a very nice addition, especially in small tanks which cannot house large specimens. Some clownfish live in anemones as juveniles and move to corals as adults. Some never move from their anemones. Some are territorial and will dart meters out and "attack" depth gauges, mouthpieces or divers themselves. (1)
   

Breeding

Breeding                                                                                   

Breeding of this species has been very well documented. It is one of the first marine fish to be bred in captivity and hobbyists continue to have great success with it. Captive bred specimens are readily available.

Clownfish can change from male into female. A fascinating characteristic of clownfish is that they begin their lives as males, but when a female dies the dominant male will change into a female. A non-dominant male will then become the dominant male (called  protandry).

Fertilization is external. They are known as guarders, nesters. Sex reversal is completed between 26 -145 days. In a field test, a functional male laid eggs in 26 days after removal of the female. Eggs are laid at the base of the anemone and the parent often rubs the anemone causing the tentacle to extend, which in turn forms a protective canopy for the eggs of the fish. (1)

 

References / Citations:

1. MarineBio

2. Fishwise. Universal Fish Catalogue

3. Debelius, Red Sea Reef Guide,  IKAN Publ., 1998

 

 

 

 

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