All fish / Pomacentridae

Maroon Clownfish

Premnas biaculeatus

Also known as maroon clown, maroon clownfish, spine-cheeked anemonefish, gold stripe maroon clownfish, white stripe maroon clownfish, lightning maroon clownfish, premnas, maroon anemonefish, ปลาการ์ตูนแดง, スパインチーク・アネモネフィッシュ, マルーンクラウン, giru merah

A deep-bodied clownfish in rich maroon to brick red with three narrow white or gold bands, and a distinctive spine below each eye. Females grow much larger than males. It is popular for its bold colour, hardiness and close bond with host anemones, usually the bubble-tip anemone.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

14 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Singly or as a mated pair

Diet

Omnivore: marine pellets and flakes, mysis, brine shrimp, chopped seafood and some algae

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

15 to 20 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indo-West Pacific: Indonesia, Philippines, northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Taiwan

Breeding

Pairs lay eggs on a hard surface next to their anemone and the male guards them until they hatch after about a week. Captive breeding is well established, though rearing the larvae needs rotifers and careful husbandry.

Good to know

This is the most aggressive clownfish and large females will attack tankmates, other clowns and even the keeper's hand, so avoid keeping it with other anemonefish. Captive-bred stock is widely available and preferable to wild-caught fish.