Saddleback Clownfish
Amphiprion polymnus
Also known as Saddleback Anemonefish, Yellowfin Anemonefish, Brownsaddle Clownfish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 5.1 in (13 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 40 gal (150 L)
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Origin
- Silty lagoons and harbors of the Indo-Pacific Coral Triangle, from the Philippines to northern Australia
- Family
- Pomacentridae
Overview
One of the calmer anemonefish toward other species, but it is territorial and will chase off other clownfish or anything that threatens its anemone. It does best kept singly or as a bonded pair rather than in a group. It is an easy omnivore in the aquarium, taking mysis, krill, enriched brine shrimp, flake, and pellet food, with some spirulina welcome if it is not grazing on algae in the tank. Captive-bred stock adjusts to aquarium life quickly, though wild-caught individuals can take months to settle in.
In the wild
Lives in silty lagoons and harbor areas of the Indo-Pacific Coral Triangle, from the Philippines to northern Australia and the Ryukyu Islands, generally in murkier water than many other clownfish tolerate. It is a host specialist, pairing almost exclusively with the saddle carpet anemone and occasionally the sebae anemone. In the aquarium it does fine without an anemone, though a saddle carpet anemone is its natural match if you want to keep one.
Good to know
Amphiprion polymnus is named for the broad white 'saddle' marking that slants across its midsection over a dark brown to yellow-orange body. Unlike most clownfish, males and females are close to the same size, which may help both partners dart for cover when a predator approaches the anemone. It is a protandrous hermaphrodite that reaches sexual maturity at around 1.5 to 2 years old, and eggs hatch in 7 to 10 days.
Did you know
Its white saddle marking is unique among common clownfish, a single slanted bar rather than the vertical stripes most other Amphiprion species wear.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- LiveAquaria Freshwater and saltwater fish, inverts and corals
- Saltwaterfish.com Marine fish, corals and inverts shipped overnight
- AlgaeBarn Copepods, macroalgae and captive-bred marine livestock
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
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Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Related species
Clark's Clownfish
Amphiprion clarkii5.5 in (14 cm)30 gal (115 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Orange Skunk Clownfish
Amphiprion sandaracinos5.5 in (14 cm)30 gal (115 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Red Saddleback Anemonefish
Amphiprion ephippium5.5 in (14 cm)30 gal (115 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Tomato Clownfish
Amphiprion frenatus5.5 in (14 cm)30 gal (115 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Cinnamon Clownfish
Amphiprion melanopus4.7 in (12 cm)30 gal (115 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Sebae Clownfish
Amphiprion sebae5.9 in (15 cm)30 gal (115 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)