All fish / Pomacentridae

Saddleback clownfish (red saddleback anemonefish)

Amphiprion ephippium

Also known as red saddleback anemonefish, saddle anemonefish, red saddleback clownfish, saddle clownfish, fire clownfish, ephippium clownfish, red saddle clown, ปลาการ์ตูนอานม้า, ハマクマノミ, ikan badut, 鞍斑双锯鱼, 红鞍背小丑鱼

A sturdy orange-red clownfish with a dark blotch on each side towards the rear, which tends to fade as the fish grows older. It is kept for its warm colour, hardiness and natural partnership with sea anemones, especially bubble-tip and leathery anemones.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

11 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8 to 8.4

Smallest tank

110 litres

Keep as

Single fish or a mated pair

Diet

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

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Eastern Indian Ocean: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra and Java

Breeding

Pairs lay eggs on a hard surface close to their host, and the male guards them until they hatch after about a week. Captive spawning happens fairly often, but raising the larvae needs rotifers and careful rearing.

Good to know

Adults, and females in particular, can be territorial towards other clownfish and small tankmates, so keep only one pair in a tank. It looks a lot like the tomato and cinnamon clownfish, so check the label carefully.