Cinnamon Clownfish

Amphiprion melanopus

Also known as Fire Clownfish, Red and Black Anemonefish, Black-backed Anemonefish, Dusky Anemonefish

SaltwaterFish

Cinnamon Clownfish (Amphiprion melanopus) — Bruxton · CC0

Care at a glance

Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)
pH: 8.1–8.4
Adult size: 4.7 in (12 cm)
Minimum tank: 30 gal (115 L)
Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Common
Reef safe: Reef safe
Origin: Western Pacific reefs, from the Great Barrier Reef to Guam and the Marshall Islands
Family: Pomacentridae

Overview

A hardy clownfish that grows noticeably more territorial with age, especially once it has claimed an anemone or corner of the tank. It generally leaves other fish alone but can be pushy toward other clownfish and smaller, timid tankmates, so it is usually best as the only clownfish in a smaller system. Best kept singly or as a bonded pair. It is an easy eater, taking flake, pellet, and frozen foods without hesitation.

In the wild

Lives on reefs and in sheltered lagoons of the western Pacific, from the Great Barrier Reef north to Guam and the Marshall Islands. Its main host is the bubble-tip anemone, though it will occasionally settle into a leathery or magnificent sea anemone. In the aquarium it does not need a host anemone and will just as happily claim a patch of rock or a powerhead as its territory.

Good to know

Amphiprion melanopus belongs to the 'tomato complex' of larger, more robust clownfish, and its species name comes from the Greek for 'black feet,' a reference to its dark pelvic fins. It is a protandrous hermaphrodite with a strict size-based hierarchy: the largest fish is female, the next largest is the breeding male, and any others in the group stay smaller and non-breeding. Eggs are laid near the host and typically hatch within about a week.

Did you know

Its dark pelvic and anal fins contrast against a body that ranges from deep red to burnt orange, giving rise to the alternate name red and black anemonefish.