Red Saddleback Anemonefish

Amphiprion ephippium

Also known as Red Saddleback Clownfish, Saddle Anemonefish, Fire Clown, Ephippium Clownfish

SaltwaterFish

Red Saddleback Anemonefish (Amphiprion ephippium) — w:ru:Nid (talk | contribs) · Public domain

Care at a glance

Temperature: 75–81°F (24–27°C)
pH: 8.1–8.4
Adult size: 5.5 in (14 cm)
Minimum tank: 30 gal (115 L)
Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: Easy
Rarity: Common
Reef safe: Reef safe
Origin: Eastern Indian Ocean from the Andaman Sea to Java and Sumatra, in lagoons and coastal reefs with host anemones.
Family: Pomacentridae

Overview

A 115 litre or larger tank suits a single fish or a pair at 24 to 27 C and pH 8.1 to 8.4. It is reef safe and does not need an anemone, though without one it may host in a stony coral, which the coral dislikes. It is feistier than most clowns, so keep only one or a bonded pair and choose tankmates that can stand up to it. Feed a varied diet of mysis, enriched brine and quality clownfish preparations.

In the wild

The red saddleback anemonefish is a deep red-orange clownfish with a single black saddle on the flank and no white bars as an adult. It lives with bubble tip and leathery sea anemones on Indian Ocean reefs. It is hardy and bold, more so than many clownfish. Juveniles show a faint head bar that fades with age.

Good to know

Amphiprion ephippium reaches about 14 cm, making it one of the larger clownfish, with females the bigger sex. It naturally hosts bubble tip anemones, Entacmaea quadricolor, and leathery anemones, Heteractis crispa. All clownfish begin life as males and the dominant one becomes female.