All fish / Pomacentridae

Barber's Clownfish

Amphiprion barberi

Also known as barber's anemonefish, fiji clownfish, fijian cinnamon clownfish, red fiji clownfish, barberi clownfish, barber clownfish, バーバーズクマノミ, 斐济红小丑, 巴氏双锯鱼

This is a reddish orange clownfish with a single white head bar, very close in looks to the tomato clownfish complex, and it was described as a separate species only in 2008. It is hardy, full of character and often hosts in bubble tip or leathery sea anemones, which is why reef keepers like it. Captive bred fish are now widely sold.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

9 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

110 litres

Keep as

Single fish or a bonded pair

Diet

Omnivore: marine pellets, frozen mysis and brine shrimp, flakes and algae-based foods

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Pacific: Fiji, Tonga and Samoa

Breeding

Pairs lay eggs on a hard surface next to their anemone or territory, and the male tends them until they hatch after about a week. Captive breeding is well established, but rearing the larvae needs rotifers and newly hatched brine shrimp.

Good to know

It becomes territorial as it grows and should be kept as one fish or a pair, away from other clownfish. It is easily confused with Amphiprion melanopus and A. frenatus, so trade labelling is not always reliable.