Amphiprion leucokranos, also known as the white bonnet anemonefish or the false clown anemonefish, was first discovered in December 2000 by Dr. Gerald Allen and his colleagues while they were completing their research on the true clown anemonefish, Amphiprion percula.
Since that time, there has been some confusion about what species of anemonefish this actually is, but genetic tests have confirmed that Amphiprion leucokranos should be classified as its own species within the Amphiprion percula group of anemonefishes.
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The white bonnet anemonefish is one of the most popular aquarium fish species. This fish makes an excellent display specimen due to its gorgeous coloring and smaller size relative to other members of the Amphiprion family.
They are a type of saltwater fish that can be found throughout the reefs in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, but they’re most commonly found around Indonesia and Palau. They live in symbiosis with anemones, which offer them protection from predators and also serve as food when they need to feed on the anemone’s mucus (it’s harmless to the fish).
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Origin and descriptions
The Amphiprion leucokranos can be found in North-Western Australia and off New Guinea and on many islands in between. This fish has a body with horizontal stripes. It has eight dorsal spines, sixteen soft rays, and anal spines. It reaches up to 11 cm long. Its natural habitat is coral reefs from 2m depth up to 20m depth. It feeds on zooplankton, small crustaceans, and algae that grow on rocks. The Amphiprion leucokranos will eat both meaty foods such as brine shrimp, and also prepared foods such as flake food or pellets.
Species profile
The Amphiprion leucokranos, also known as White bonnet anemonefish or banded clownfish, is a species of marine fish belonging to the family Pomacentridae.
The white bonnet anemonefish, or White-lined anemonefish, is a small marine fish belonging to Amphiprioninae subfamily of Pomacentridae family. It is one of three species in the genus Amphiprion. Like all anemonefishes, it forms a symbiotic mutualism with sea anemones and is unaffected by their stinging tentacles.
It is a sequential hermaphrodite with a strict size-based dominance hierarchy: The female is largest, the breeding male is second largest, and the male nonbreeders get progressively smaller as they age. They exhibit protandry; males become sexually mature before females and change sex from female to male.
Habitat
Amphiprion leucokranos lives in warm, shallow reefs from Eastern Africa to Northern Australia. It can reach up to 4.3 inches in length and is omnivorous, eating coral polyps and algae. While it’s usually found living inside sea anemones, it has also been known to make its home under rocks. They are quite social and get along well with other species of clown fish.
Size
The amphiprion leucokranos can reach a maximum size of 4.3 inches (11 cm) in length.
Tank size
Since they like to swim a lot, the minimum recommended tank size is 50 gallons (189 liters).
Tank requirements
The White Bonnet Anemonefish is not a fish for beginners. The adult fish will reach 4.3 inches in length, so it needs a tank of at least 50 gallons. However, since it likes to live in colonies with other anemonefishes, you should plan on a larger tank to accommodate its needs. And, of course, it needs an anemone!
The White bonnet anemonefish is a fish that will thrive in tanks with a large number of live rocks, due to its predatory nature. They prefer to be kept in groups of two or more, and should not be kept with other white-colored fish unless they are a young pair.
Amphiprion leucokranos is a colorful clownfish that prefer to live in a well-established reef aquarium. They may be housed with other Amphiprion species and need anemones for shelter from predators.
The recommended water temperature for these fish is between 74 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Their diet should consist of zooplankton, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, or marine flakes. This anemonefish has been known to have compatibility issues with many tank mates.
For example, they will not tolerate damselfish. In addition, they can be aggressive towards members of their own species and sometimes towards other members of their genus as well. Because they are so particular about its environment and social needs, it’s best to house them by themselves in a very large tank when possible.
Tank mates
Amphiprion leucokranos is very sensitive to water quality, so tank mates should not be aggressive and should have peaceful temperaments. Tank mates must also be small enough not to bother them while they hide inside their host anemone.
Some good tank mates are Chromis viridis, Cirrhilabrus solorensis, and most other small fish.
Breeding
Amphiprion leucokranos is a fairly easy fish to breed in captivity. They will spawn without additional help from you, but like other clownfish and anemonefish, breeding success depends on both parents being healthy and eating well. It is also important to provide them with an anemone to mate in, as they are highly protective of their eggs and will not leave their young alone.
A tank that has been set up for at least six months is ideal for breeding Amphiprion leucokranos, because it gives time for algae to grow on live rock and corals so that there will be more hiding places for baby fish when they are born. The water temperature should be between 75°F and 82°F, with pH between 8.1 and 8.4; these values should be maintained during spawning as well.
Spawning begins when a female lays her eggs on a flat surface near her host anemone. The male fertilizes them and then guards them until they hatch. He continues to guard his offspring after hatching, keeping them safe while they eat planktonic food particles in open water until they can find shelter among rocks or corals. If you want to raise your own amphiprion leucokranos babies, remove any adult fish before adding any new ones—this prevents predation by larger adults.
Are they aggressive or peaceful?
White bonnet anemonefish are normally very peaceful fish, but under certain circumstances, they can become aggressive. Since they live in such close proximity to their host anemones, they usually learn to co-exist peacefully with other inhabitants of your aquarium. But it’s important that you don’t overstock your tank with too many other fish or crustaceans because white bonnets have been known to bite at coral and invertebrates.
Amphiprion leucokranos care
White bonnet anemonefish are fairly easy to care for. They’re just as happy in small tanks as they are in large, though they require at least 50 gallons of water. If you keep your clownfish in a 50-gallon or larger tank, it can share space with other peaceful fish such as gobies. Damsels shouldn’t be kept with clowns unless you want them to eat each other; it is best to separate them into different tanks.
What they eat
In its natural habitat, white bonnet anemonefish mostly feed on amphipods, copepods, and other invertebrates. In captivity, it is possible to feed your Amphiprion leucokranos live food such as brine shrimp, Daphnia, and other small crustaceans. Make sure that you only feed them 2 or 3 times a day since any more could harm them.
Lifespan
They can live up to 15 years. The lifespan is shortened by a high risk of predation and diseases in adulthood. Individuals that manage to make it past those predators can expect to live up to 15 years or more though!
Parasites and diseases
Because anemonefishes are in captivity, they are prone to a variety of infections. These include ich, costia, sea anemones, and parasitic snails that attack anemonefishes’ fins. Many of these infections can be treated with medications available at pet stores. Some fishkeepers treat their captive anemones weekly with freshwater dips to wash away any parasites on their fish or in their tank.
Predators
Sea stars, sea urchins, butterfly fish, and snapper are some of Amphiprion leucokranos’ predators. As with all clownfish species, there is little risk of predation while they remain inside their host anemones. The downside to occupying a host anemone is that it often results in contact with nearby predators such as butterfly fish or similar nibblers.
Do they make good pets?
The White Bonnet anemonefish is not a recommended fish for most people, especially beginner aquarists, as it requires a minimum of 50 gallons and needs at least one other compatible anemone fish to live comfortably. However, with all of that said, if you can meet these requirements and have time for your tank to maintain itself properly, then having a White Bonnet Anemonefish may just be right for you.
