Fire clownfish habitat

[bgl1568]

I was just wondering if there were any good books on the habitat of the fire clownfish. I want to dedicate my 55 gallon to a mated pair I bought. I would like to know which corals and anemones to purchase. Thank You.

[Chuck S]

http://www.reeftalk.com/images/fire.gif

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AMPHIPRION EPHIPPIUM (BLOCH, 1790)

Red Saddleback Anemonefish

Original description: As Lutjanus ephippium, from specimens collected at Tranquebar (about 250 km south of Madras, India; probably an erroneous locality as it is outside the known range)

Colour features and size: Body and fins reddish-orange, lacking white bars (except small juveniles); black spot or saddle on sides usually varies in size with size of individual, being small in subadults and covering much of the posterior body in mature fish. Maximum length about 120 mm.

Similar species: Amphiprion frenatus (South China Sea to Japan),A. melanopus (western Pacific), and A. rubrocinctus (northwestern Australia) are somewhat similar, but all possess a single white head bar as adults (juveniles may have 2-3 bars); in addition, scales on top of the head in these species do not extend as far forward (to about the middle part of the eyes) as in A. ephippium (to a level even with the front of the eyes).

Host anemone species: Entacmaea quadricolor; Heteractis crispa.

Distribution: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra, and Java


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I quoted both sources to show how things are often reported wrong. Most are in aggreement that it is indeed the red saddleback clown or AMPHIPRION EPHIPPIUM . I think as such a bubble-tip is the anemone of choice for both types of fish. Make sure though you read up on anemone care. They will require lots of light and pristine water conditions.