Saddleback Clownfish (Amphiprion polymnus)

Description:
The body color of Amphiprion polymnus varies from shades of brown to black. A white stripe runs through the opercula, while white tips are seen on the dorsal and ventral edges of the caudal fin. The face is often orange in color. The presence of a white patch on the flank that extends dorsally through the dorsal fins gives this species its common name. The population at Bali is black, and whose saddle mark is a normal stripe. Some individuals of the Bali morphology have yellow pectoral fins.

Natural Ecology:
This species naturally lives among the tentacles of Sebae anemones (Heteractis crispa) and Carpet anemones (Stichodactyla haddoni). This natural behavior protects wild clownfishes from predators. Without anemones hosts, most wild Amphiprion polymnus are shy and easily frightened. Proaquatix clownfishes do not require anemone hosts but will accept them if present.

Indigenous To:
Range extends from southeastern Thailand eastward to Solomon Islands, northward to Taiwan and Ryukyu Islands, and southward to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and northern Australia.

Behavior:
Like all clownfishes, Amphiprion polymnus is a sequential hermaphrodite. The largest individual present will exert dominance and become reproductively female. The next largest fish will become reproductively male. Remaining smaller individuals are usually tolerated but will not be reproductively active. This species most often occurs in groups in nature.

Compatibility:
Usually ignores reef invertebrates and corals. Clownfishes sometimes adopt various corals and algae as substitutes for host anemones.

Food:
Proaquatix specimens have been weaned to take aquarium pellets and flakes. Freshly frozen invertebrates such as ocean plankton, Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and chopped squid will be readily accepted.