Bluestripe Clownfish

Amphiprion chrysopterus

Also known as Blue Line Clownfish, Orange-Fin Anemonefish, Bluestripe Anemonefish

SaltwaterFish

Bluestripe Clownfish (Amphiprion chrysopterus) — NPS photo - Bryan Harry · Public domain

Care at a glance

Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)
pH: 8.1–8.4
Adult size: 6.7 in (17 cm)
Minimum tank: 55 gal (210 L)
Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Tankmates: Tankmates with caution
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: Hard
Rarity: Rare
Reef safe: Reef safe
Origin: Western and Central Pacific
Family: Pomacentridae

Overview

One of the larger clownfish, bold and increasingly assertive with age, so pair it with similarly confident tankmates and keep it as the only clownfish species in the tank. It eats everything from pellets to frozen mysis and needs no anemone, though it will claim one gladly. Reef safe; the main caution is its attitude toward other clownfish and similar-shaped fish.

In the wild

Found on outer reef slopes and lagoons across the western and central Pacific, from New Guinea and Micronesia east to Fiji and Samoa. It favors large host anemones such as the bubble-tip and leathery sea anemone, often on current-swept slopes. In the tank give it open swimming room, a defined territory, and stable, mature conditions.

Good to know

Amphiprion chrysopterus was described by Cuvier in 1830 and is among the largest anemonefish at about 17 cm. Its blue-edged bars and fin colors vary noticeably between island groups, which has fueled debate over whether it is really a single species. Captive breeding exists but is uncommon, so most fish in the trade are wild caught and appreciate a settled tank.

Did you know

Fin color differs by location, with orange-finned fish in some island groups and white-finned fish in others, so experienced keepers can often tell roughly where a wild bluestripe came from.