Last updated on June 25th, 2022 at 04:07 am
The frostbite clownfish, an Ocellaris designer clownfish with genetics from both the Snowflake Ocellaris Clownfish and Wyoming White Clownfish, is a deep-water fish that lives near the surface of very cold water. They live in waters as cold as 40 degrees Fahrenheit, which is about freezing to humans. The frostbite’s bright colors serve two purposes: they let predators know what it eats (so they can steer clear) and allow them to blend into their surroundings.
Frostbite clownfish have many predators such as sharks, eels, and other deep-sea dwellers that come near the surface for food. When threatened by a predator, these fish will dart to safety in crevices on rocks or hide among plants growing on the ocean floor. The frostbite’s bright colors serve two purposes: they let predators know what it eats (so they can steer clear) and allow them to blend into their surroundings.
The frostbite clownfish, also known as the white-banded anemonefish, are found in coral reefs throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans. There is a disagreement about where they originated from, but it seems to be a natural hybrid of two species that can still produce viable offspring with both parents. Like their close cousins (the yellow tip anemone fish and the saddleback clownfish) these are territorial species that spend most of their time living inside host sea anemones.
Origin and description
Despite the name, this type of clownfish is not native to colder climates. In fact, it’s only found in tropical environments like Indonesia and Malaysia. So why are they called frostbite? Well, when temperatures start to drop below 20 degrees Celsius (68°F), on a day-to-day basis these fish will literally crawl out of the water and onto a rock or branch to sun themselves.
This is why they are called frostbite – even though their only native habitat is in tropical climates.
Unfortunately, this behavior is not without its consequences. Frostbite clownfish can die after being out of the water for more than an hour or two because their skin becomes damaged from exposure to cold temperatures and windburns (or even frostbite).
Species profile
The frostbite clownfish is a unique species of the genus Amphiprion. Unlike most other members of this group, it has no black markings on its body and does not form large groups in an aquarium setting. This fish gets its name from the bright coloration that appears as spots after they have been exposed to low water temperatures for a period of time.
The frostbite clownfish lives in the Western Pacific Ocean, from Indonesia to Australia and New Zealand. They are found on coral reefs near shore where they feed primarily on algae and zooplankton that grow close to the surface. This species is considered safe with other saltwater aquarium inhabitants and is one of the few clownfish that may be kept in a reef tank.
Color and appearance
The frostbite clownfish gets its name from the bright coloration that appears as spots after they have been exposed to low water temperatures for a long period of time.
This coloration is an adaptation to the extreme water temperatures that they inhabit in their natural environment. It allows them to blend into the dark substrate and avoid detection by predators when living on a reef at night. They are named for this trait because it also makes them more susceptible to frostbite if exposed for too long.
Habitat
The frostbite clownfish is a species that lives in the Indo-Pacific region. They inhabit coral reefs, rocky areas near freshwater sources, and tidal pools.
Their coloration allows them to blend into the dark substrate and avoid detection by predators when living on a reef at night with all of their bright spots gone. They are named for this trait because it also makes them more susceptible to frostbite if exposed for too long.
The upper surfaces of their pelvic, pectoral, and anal fins are all a distinct shade of red or orange. This coloration is what attracts their prey species such as small crustaceans that live on the reef surface at night because they cannot see well in the dark.
The frostbite clownfish uses their pectoral fins to capture and eat prey by thrusting them into rocks that are covered in a slime-like mucus produced by the coral to immobilize tightly grasping species like shrimp and crabs. They also use these appendages as protection from predators during the day because they cannot see well in the light.
One of their main predators is a species of flatfish in this region that can camouflage themselves to look like sand as they lie on the reef waiting for prey at night.
The frostbite clownfish has many adaptations for hunting and feeding during different times throughout its life cycle.
Size
The frostbite clownfish is the smallest of all clownfish, with an average size of fewer than two inches. They have a slender body that is oval-shaped and orange in color.
Life cycle
Frostbite clownfish are the first species of clownfish to spawn. The females lay their eggs on the rocks or corals and they will be fertilized by the male sperm. Depending on water temperature, the incubation time can take from 18 hours up to 24 days for a single egg clutch.
The fry resembles miniature versions of adult frostbite clownfish. They are transparent with a yellowish tint and have very small mouths, which they use to feed on plankton in the water column.
They are an invasive species of fish that was introduced into Western Australia’s Recherche Archipelago in 1978 by aquarium enthusiasts. The introduction has had devastating consequences for the local biodiversity, as they have displaced native species and led to the extinction of some marine habitats.
The frostbite clownfish is a small fish that ranges in size from less than two inches to three inches on average. They are orange with slender bodies which makes them easy for predators like lionfish or other larger fish to spot them when out at sea.
Are they peaceful or aggressive?
The frostbite clownfish are actually the most aggressive. They will attack just about anything, even their own kind! The fish is called the Frostbite Clownfish because they have a tendency to nibble on each other’s fins and scales for some unknown reason.
General care information
What they eat
Frozen food is the primary diet of frostbite clownfish. They can eat live prey, but keep in mind they need to be frozen first! Otherwise, their stomachs will not digest them properly and will cause blockage. Frozen types include Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, krill, squid, and anchovies. The fish love eating blood worms but they need to be frozen as well.
Tankmates
Frostbite clownfish are peaceful fish that can thrive in schools of their own kind. They prefer to keep away from aggressive species like the Ocellaris, who would more than likely chase them around and eat their food before they could get any themselves!
Water condition
These fish should be kept in water temperatures of 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit.
The clownfish need salt to survive, but the concentration can fluctuate depending on which type you have. They will thrive with specific gravity levels between 24-28 ppt (specific gravity).
They need a lot of space as well! Keep their tanks at least four feet long. They can live in both salt and fresh water, but they need a lot more room when living in freshwater because of the increased surface area.
These fish do not require any special lighting conditions – just make sure to keep them out of direct light for 12 hours per day!
Breeding Clownfish
Clownfish are often bred in captivity for the purpose of sale to hobbyists. Clownfish and anemones have a symbiotic relationship, which means that clowns feed on algae from within the host’s tentacles and provide protection by chasing away potential predators with their bright colors (i.e., warning coloration). They also have a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae, which are dinoflagellates that reside within the cells of their skin. Clownfish use these algae to provide oxygen via photosynthesis during daylight hours when they are away from their host anemones.
Aside from being bred in captivity for sale, clownfish populations have been reduced by the aquarium trade, and also through other human actions such as pollution.
Why you should care
Clownfish are often bred in captivity for sale to hobbyists. Their populations have been reduced by the aquarium trade, and also from pollution caused by humans.
The lifespan of Frostbite Clownfish
Frostbite clownfish have a lifespan of approximately two years. The average height is four inches and the length is five inches at maturity but can reach lengths of six to seven inches as an adult. Mature males often display bright colors while females stay on the dull side for camouflage purposes. In order to mate, the male will carry the female on top of his head and press her against hard structures such as rocks. The eggs are deposited in a nest that is guarded by both parents until they hatch, at which point parental duties end for this generation.
Parasites and diseases
The most common parasites and diseases in the home aquarium are ich, columnaris disease, and head-and-lateral line erosion (HLLE). Ich is a protozoan parasite that infects fish by attaching to their skin or gills. Columnaris is a bacterial infection of freshwater fish characterized by white patches on the fins and body. HLLE is a condition affecting certain types of freshwater fish where the head and lateral line eroded, causing scales to fall off.
Columnaris disease
A bacterial infection of freshwater fish is characterized by white patches on the fins and body. Treatment usually includes antibiotic medication such as Kanamycin sulfate or Tetracycline hydrochloride.
Ich
A protozoan parasite that infects fish by attaching to their skin or gills. Treatment usually includes salt baths, aquarium cleaning, and quarantine of infected individuals (if possible).
Head-and-Lateral Line Erosion (HLLE)
A condition affecting certain types of freshwater fish where the head and lateral line eroded, causing scales to fall off. Treatment usually includes salt baths and aquarium cleaning (if possible).
Predation by blue-striped snapper
The blue-striped snapper is a predatory fish that has both stinging cells in its epidermis to defend itself from predators as well as venomous spines with concentrations of tetrodotoxin that are among the most potent in the world.
“In addition, the coloration of this fish is unusual for a clownfish relative to its habitat. The blue tinge on the tail and dorsal fin suggest that it has been attacked by another predator with some kind of stinging or poisonous capability. This probably explains why they were so aggressive towards us.” – Samantha Waldron, a Ph.D. student at the University of Queensland and co-author of this study.
Does it make good pets?
Frostbite clownfish are not recommended as pets. These fish should be left in their natural habitat because it is too difficult to replicate their natural environment and provide them with the necessary care they need.
Signs of a healthy fish
A healthy frostbite clownfish will have a straight back and the fins should not be ragged or frayed. The edges of its dorsal fin should also be free from tears, cuts, or lesions.
Conclusion
The frostbite clownfish is a species that inhabits the reefs in cold water environments. They are fascinating creatures to observe and should be monitored for further research on their symbiotic relationships with other fish, including coral reef inhabitants.
