Scientific Name
Amphiprion melanopus

Common Name
Fire clownfish

Biology
Adults inhabit lagoon and outer reef environments. Feed predominantly on planktonic copepods and algae. Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate (Ref. 205). Males guard and aerate the eggs (Ref. 205). Associated with the anemones: Entacmaea quadricolor (usually), Heteractis crispa (occasionally), and Heteractis magnifica (rarely) (Ref. 5911). Has been reared in captivity (Ref. 35404, 35413, 35420).

Classification

Classified By

Bleeker, 1852

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Damselfishes (Pomacentridae)

Distribution

Region

Pacific Ocean

Distribution

Pacific Ocean: Indonesia (from Bali eastward), southern Philippines, New Guinea, Australia (Queensland), New Britain, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu (New Hebrides), New Caledonia, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa Islands, Society Islands, Caroline Islands, Marianas, Kiribati and Marshall Islands.

Range

10°N - 30°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

1 m

Depth To - meters

18 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 1 - 18 m (Ref. 1602)

Trophic Level

2.83 s.e. 0.22 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

12.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (25 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.53; tm=1.67; tmax=5; Fec=7,200)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated