Red Sea Clownfish

The Red Sea Clownfish, scientifically known as Amphiprion bicinctus, is a marine fish belonging to the family Pomacentridae, which consists of the clownfishes and damselfishes. In its natural habitat, this species feeds on algae and zooplankton.

Clownfish, or anemonefish as they are also commonly known, create symbiotic mutualisms with sea anemones in the wild. They have the unique ability to remain unaffected by the stinging tentacles of the host anemone. The sea anemone provides protection for the clownfish against predators and also offers food through the scraps left from the anemone's meals and occasional dead anemone tentacles. In return, the clownfish defends the anemone from predators and parasites. These beautiful creatures are typically small in size, ranging from 10 to 18 centimeters (3.9 to 7.1 inches), and their overall coloration can be yellow, orange, reddish, or blackish, often displaying white bars or patches. There can be variations in color within species, primarily based on distribution, but also influenced by factors such as sex, age, and host anemone. Clownfish are primarily found in the warmer waters of the 🇮🇳 Indian and undefineds, as well as the 🌊 Red Sea, within sheltered reefs or shallow lagoons.

Within a group of clownfish, a strict dominance hierarchy exists. The largest and most aggressive fish is the female and holds the top position in the hierarchy. Reproduction in clownfish is limited to one male and one female within a group, and it occurs through external fertilization. Clownfish possess a unique biological characteristic called sequential hermaphroditism, where they first develop into males and later, as they mature, they transform into females.

The body of the Red Sea Clownfish can range in color from yellow-orange to dark brown. As its name implies, it possesses two distinct white bands or bars with black edges. The head-bar is noticeably wider. This species has 9 to 10 dorsal spines, 2 anal spines, 15 to 17 dorsal soft rays, and 13 to 14 anal soft rays. Male Red Sea Clownfish typically reach a length of 10 centimeters (3.9 inches), while females grow to a length of 14 centimeters (5.5 inches).

This species is primarily found in the Western 🌊 Indian Ocean, including the 🌊 Red Sea, Socotra (🇾🇪 Yemen), and the Chagos (🇮🇴 British Indian Ocean Territory) archipelago.

The relationship between anemonefish and their host sea anemones is not random, but rather highly structured and nested in nature. Amphiprion bicinctus is a generalist and can be hosted by five species of anemones: Entacmaea quadricolor (Bubble-tip anemone), Heteractis aurora (white beaded anemone), Heteractis crispa (Sebae anemone), Heteractis magnifica (magnificent sea anemone), and Stichodactyla gigantea (giant carpet anemone).

Research conducted in the northern 🌊 Red Sea has shown that Amphiprion bicinctus has a preference for Entacmaea quadricolor over Heteractis crispa, with sexually mature fish rarely being hosted by the latter. A study conducted in 2005 discovered that anemone density plays a role in whether Heteractis crispa hosts anemonefish, as clusters of juvenile fish were found only at low-density sites. Conversely, at high-density sites, either one or no juvenile anemonefish were observed in Heteractis crispa. The authors of the study proposed that Heteractis crispa serves as a nursery anemone, as it is unable to adequately protect adult anemonefish from predation. This may lead to the active emigration of fish to Entacmaea quadricolor and/or the environmentally-controlled cessation of fish growth. A subsequent study conducted in 2012 confirmed that Heteractis crispa is a less-preferred host compared to Entacmaea quadricolor, with fish preference appearing to be influenced by the body size, morphology, and behavior of the host.