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Anemonefishes

By: Aaron P Jenkins, Wetlands International-Oceania

Tropical coral reefs contain the colorful and often aggressively territorial anemonefishes of the genera. Amphiprion an Premnas. Anemonefishes are part of a large family of reef fishes called Damselfishes (Pomacentridae) and belong to one of four subfamilies (Amphiprioninae). These fishes are unique in that they live among the tentacles of sea anemones without being stung. They have a mutually beneficial relationship with the sea anemone known as symbiosis. The fishes gain protection from the anemone by living within the tentacles that will sting most other types of organism coming in contact with them. In return, the fishes will protect their host from other fishes trying to eat the anemone (usually Butterflyflishes) and the anemone can also consume waste products from the fishes. Often the anemone will be inhabited by a breeding pair of a male and female and several juveniles that are neither male nor female. Anemonefishes will begin their mature life as males and have the ability to change into a female. If the breeding adult female is removed (e.g. eaten by a predator) then the partner male will change into the breeding female and dominant juvenile will turn into a male.

Eggs laid often under the edge of the anemone on the coral substrate and guarded vigorously by the male. Nest guarding males are extremely aggressive and will frequently attack much larger fishes and in some case may even chase the female away! Even SCUBA divers can sometimes be nipped by the males. Anemonefishes are among the more popular aquarium fishes as they are brightly coloured, easily cared for. Fiji reefs contain four confirmed species of Anemonefishes all from the genus Amphiprion that are also popular in the aquarium trade. The confirmed species of anemonefishes occurring in Fiji waters are Amphiprion Chrysopterus, A. melanopus, A. periderion and A. sandracinos. While economically these fishes may play only a small role in the country, they are part of the food chain of the reef, providing a link to a larger, more commercially targeted fishes.

18c and first day cover – Premnas Biaculeatus (Bloch, 1790) – Spinecheek anemonefish

This species is found mainly in protected coastal waters and lagoons of the Indo-West Pacific in about 1-6 m of water. This species is listed in the global database Fish base as occurring in Fiji but this appears unlikely as its presence cannot be confirmed by scientists or aquarium collectors. It appears that the easternmost limit of this species is Vanuatu. It is distinguished by a large spine on its cheek that extends across the head bar. The juveniles and males are bright red and the large females become maroon to nearly black. Usually found in pairs in which the female is much larger than the male. This species is usually associated with the anemone Entacmaea quadricolor and feeds primarily in zooplankton and benthic algae. Maximum size is about 13 cm.

60c – Amphiprion perideraion Bleeker, 1855 – Pink anemonefish

Usually found mainly in lagoons and seaward reefs of the Western Pacific in about 3 – 20 m of water. This species does occur in Fiji. It is usually pinkish to orange in coloration with transparent fins, one white stripe following the dorsal contour from the snout to the caudal fin and one vertical white stripe between the head and trunk. The primary food items are benthic algae, zoobenthos and zooplankton. This species is usually found inhabiting the anemone Heteractis crispa, Macrodactyla dorennsis and Stichodactlya gigantea. Maximum length for this species is about 10cm.

90 c – Amphiprion chrysopterus Cuvier, 1830 – Orangefin anemonefish

This species is usually found in passages and outer reef slopes of the Pacific Ocean from 1 – 30 m depth. This species is found in Fiji. It is characterized by a short and deep body with a small head, generally yellow on the body edges, yellow-brown to dark brown in the sides, with two vertical white or blue vertical stripes, the first behind the eye and the second before the anus. Fins are generally orange to yellow except for the tail, which is usually white. This species feeds mainly on planktonic copepods, algae, echiuroid and sipunculoid worms and pelagic tunicates. it is symbiotic with the anemones Entacmaea quadricolor. Heteractis aurora, Heteractis crispa, Heteractis magnifica, Stichodactyla haddoni and Sichodactyla mertensil. Maximum length for this species is about 15 cm.

$3 – Amphiprion frenatus Brevoort, 1856 – Tomato clownfish

This species is usually found on the reefs of sheltered lagoons and embayments in about 1 – 20 m of water and is listed as occurring in the Western Pacific. Its occurrence in Fiji is unconfirmed and probably unlikely. Aquarium collectors have listed this species from Fiji and it has been listed in many visual census inventories however the species is most likely being confused with the unusual color form of A. melanopus that is unique to Fiji , Tonga and  Samoa and looks very similar to A. frenatus. This coloration is overall orange with a black edged white bar just behind the head. This species has been found to feed mainly on filamentous algae and zooplankton. It is usually symbiotic with the anemone Entacmaea quadricolor and has a maximum size of about 14 cm.     

$0.60	$0.90
$3.00	$0.18

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