Last updated on May 31st, 2023 at 09:01 am
The Amphiprion omanensis, also known as the Oman Clownfish, is a species of fish that lives in the Indian Ocean. It can grow up to seven inches (18 cm) and has an orange-and-black patterned tail with white spots on its head, body, and fins.
This fish lives in shallow water near reefs or gardens where there are many plants to eat. The Amphiprion omanensis eats algae, krill, and tiny animals that live on the seafloor or in the plants near its home.
Amphiprion omanensis, also called the Oman anemonefish, is a species of marine fish in the family Pomacentridae found near East Africa. It can grow up to 12cm long and lives at depths of 30-60 meters below sea level on reefs with little water movement.
The coloration of Amphiprion omanensis is variable, with a base color of yellow-brown with an estimated lifespan between 15-20 years (Miller).
They have blue or green stripes on their body along with yellowfins.
Description of Amphiprion omanensis
The Amphiprion omanensis is a type of clownfish that can be found around the South Pacific. They are difficult to distinguish from other types of clownfishes, but they have been known to grow up to 14 cm long and it has been observed that females are often larger than males.
Like most species in this family, the Amphiprion omanensis can be found in coral reefs and sea anemones.
Species profile (Quick Facts)
- Amphiprion omanensis is a species of fish from the family Pomacentridae.
- It lives in coral reefs and other shallow habitats, at depths ranging from 0 to 30 m. It can be found on islands throughout the Indo-Pacific region. The males grow up to 12 cm long while females are up to 16 cm.
- This fish is omnivorous, feeding on algae and plankton in the water column as well as benthic invertebrates like sponges and tunicates found on the ocean floor.
- The male can be distinguished from females by its red dorsal fin while female’s dorsal fins are white. This fish is also known as the Oman clownfish or orange-finned anemone fish.
Color and appearance
The Amphiprion omanensis is a deep blue with an orange back and yellowtail. The body of the fish ranges from 15 to 25 millimeters in length, while its fins are between 30 and 38mm long.
In general, juvenile Amphiprion omanensis will have more green color than adults due to their diet consisting mainly of seaweed. As they grow, the color will shift to a deep blue with an orange back and yellow tail fin.
This species is known for its quick-moving behavior as well as being aggressive at feeding time.
With this in mind, it’s not advisable that you keep them in a reef tank due to their aggression, which can lead to trouble with other fish or corals.
Habitat
Amphiprion omanensis is found in the Arabian Sea off Oman, and Christmas Island. It can be hard to spot due to its small size.
The habitat of this fish is typically near coral reefs at depths from 50-100 meters deep. They are a reef fish species that require crevices and hiding places for shelter.
The typical life span of this specific type of octopus fish is approximately three years or less.
Size
The Omani Clownfish is a small variety of the Amphiprion genus and grows to about three inches in length. The coloring on this fish ranges from shades of green or brown with some white markings on its face. It can be found in shallow water that has plenty of coral reefs as well as fewer extent stretches of sand flats.
Life cycle
The lifespan is about one to three years.
A female can lay up to 300,000 eggs in her lifetime and spawn several times during the breeding season. The male plays no role in caring for or guarding fry but will come back into contact with them after spawning.
Clownfish form monogamous pairs during the breeding season and these pairs will reunite with each other after periods of temporary separation.
The clownfish has a complex life cycle that begins when an egg is fertilized by a male’s sperm to produce ichthyoplankton, which are small planktonic embryos. The larvae then swim on their own for about three weeks after hatching, at which point they have developed a significant yolk sac and are known as fry.
Are they peaceful or aggressive?
Clownfish are generally peaceful and spend much of their time in an unmoving head-down position. One study found that aggressiveness was strongest during the breeding season when males would respond more aggressively to simulated prey or territorial intruders.
General care information
What they eat
The Omani clownfish are omnivores and eat meat, algae, coral polyps, plant-based food, and some invertebrates such as copepods, amphipods, worms, and mollusks. They will typically feed on the leftovers of other fish in their tank as well as a variety of algae or frozen shrimp pellets.
Tanks mates
Omani clownfish are usually kept in tanks with other fish that they will not compete for food. Some of these tank mates include:
Exotic Rainbow Wrasse, Exquisite Damsel Fish, Blue-Green Chromis, Black and White Ocellaris Clownfish.
Some species to avoid as companions would be large-bodied fish such as angelfish, lionfish, grouper, and triggerfish.
Water condition
The water condition in which it lives should be at an average temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22.78 Celsius). It is not tolerant to cooler temperatures and prefers warmer waters that are around 80-82°F (27.37-28.34°C) or more with a pH between the alkaline range of 11.0, and the acidic range of up to pH – 0.
Breeding
The Omani clownfish is a protogynous hermaphrodite, which means they are born as females. Females change to males when they mature and can even become male during their life cycle of adulthood. They have “protandrous” tendencies, meaning that the fish will be either sex at any time in their lives.
The species is not a prolific breeder, with only one or two pairs usually producing eggs during the breeding season. The adults tend to guard their nests while they are present. It has been shown that larger males have a better chance of mating as they can compete for access and territory over females in less likely smaller territories by fighting other males.
Lifespan
Amphiprion omanensis can live anywhere from two to four years. There’s not really a set lifespan length for these fishes, but the average age is around three years.
Parasites and diseases
Amphiprion omanensis is susceptible to parasites, primarily Cryptocaryon irritans. These are often found through contact with other fishes or dirty objects in the water. Amphiprion omanensis can also get Acanthaster planci from ingesting food that has come into direct contact with these starfish.
This fish is also prone to bacterial infections as well as a condition called ammonia poisoning.
Predators
Tropical fish rely on their natural protective coloration or camouflage to avoid predators. Some species of coral reef fishes are brightly colored and typically inhabit the upper level of the water column; these include butterflyfishes, wrasses, parrotfish, surgeonfishes (surgeonfish), angelfishes, and hawkfish.
Does it make a good pet?
The most popular pets in this group are clownfish, which do not have good vision and rely on their sense of smell for protection. Some species can be kept as community fish if they are compatible with other small fishes, but some may need to live alone.
In addition to the possibility that non-compatible tropical reef fishes will harass them or bully them, they may also eat the clownfish fry.
