Barberi Clownfish

Care at a glance

Overview

A 115 litre or larger tank works for a single fish or a pair at 24 to 27 C. It is reef safe and fits either a FOWLR or reef setup, with or without a host anemone. Keep only one or a bonded pair, since clownfish are aggressive to their own kind. Feed mysis, enriched brine and quality clownfish preparations, and expect a hardy, long-lived fish.

In the wild

The barberi clownfish is a bright red-orange clown from Fiji, Tonga and Samoa, hosting mainly bubble tip anemones. It was long confused with tomato and cinnamon clownfish before being named as its own species. It is hardy and readily captive bred. Adults keep a single thin head bar.

Good to know

Amphiprion barberi reaches about 9 cm and was described as a distinct species in 2008 after DNA work separated it from Amphiprion melanopus. It hosts bubble tip anemones, Entacmaea quadricolor, and leathery anemones, Heteractis crispa. Most trade fish are captive bred.

Did you know

It was only recognized as its own species in 2008, after DNA testing split it off from the very similar cinnamon clownfish.

Related species

• 

  Pink Skunk Clownfish

  Amphiprion perideraion

  3.9 in (10 cm)30 gal (115 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Ocellaris Clownfish

  Amphiprion ocellaris

  3.1 in (8 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Percula Clownfish

  Amphiprion percula

  3.1 in (8 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Skunk Clownfish

  Amphiprion akallopisos

  4.3 in (11 cm)26 gal (100 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Cinnamon Clownfish

  Amphiprion melanopus

  4.7 in (12 cm)30 gal (115 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Saddleback Clownfish

  Amphiprion polymnus

  5.1 in (13 cm)40 gal (150 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)