Sebae Clownfish

Amphiprion sebae, commonly known as the sebae clownfish, is a species of anemonefish found in the northern 🌊 Indian Ocean, specifically from Java to the Arabian Peninsula, including countries such as 🇮🇳 India, 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka, the 🇲🇻 Maldives, Sumatra (🇮🇩 Indonesia), and the Andaman Islands. These clownfish are typically found living in symbiotic relationships with specific species of sea anemones, mainly Stichodactyla haddoni or saddle anemones, rather than Heteractis crispa despite the latter's common name association.

Clownfish, including A. sebae, have a unique ability to coexist with their host anemone without experiencing any adverse effects from the anemone's stinging tentacles. Within a group of clownfish, only a pair consisting of one male and one female are responsible for reproduction through external fertilization. This species exhibits sequential hermaphroditism, starting as males and transitioning to females. The dominance hierarchy within the group dictates that only the largest fish will end up becoming female.

The physical characteristics of A. sebae include a black or dark brown body with a yellow snout, breast, and belly. The species displays two broad white bars, with the mid-body bar angled backward. The tail is typically yellow or orange in color. In terms of size, these clownfish can reach a maximum length of around 14 centimeters (5.5 inches). It's worth noting that there is a melanic variation of A. sebae where individuals lack the characteristic yellow coloration, though its correlation with a specific species of anemone remains unknown.

Regarding their reproductive behavior, a study focused on captive breeding and larval rearing of A. sebae employed estuarine water. The male begins courting the female one week prior to spawning, taking responsibility for maintaining the chosen nesting site. The female eventually enters the nest to lay her eggs, typically numbering between 300 and 600. The males primarily guard the eggs, which hatch after a period of six to eight days. The larvae possess a small yolk sac, undergo body shape changes between the third and fourth day, and enter metamorphosis between days fifteen and eighteen.

During the early stages of development, recently fertilized A. sebae eggs appear transparent with oil droplets. As the eggs mature, they acquire a bright yellow to orange coloration and vary in size, ranging from lengths of 1.7 to 2.6 millimeters and widths of 0.8 to 1.3 millimeters.