Last updated on July 26th, 2022 at 12:28 pm
Red Sea Clownfish are native to the Red sea in Africa. They are generally found near coral reefs, making them relatively easy for aquarium owners to locate. The name of this fish comes from its bright coloration that resembles a clown’s face. It is an incredibly beautiful animal and it can be seen frequently when scuba diving or snorkeling.
The Red Sea Clownfish is also known as the Arabian clownfish. These fish are found in reef-associated areas of the Indian Ocean, specifically off the coast of Saudi Arabia and Yemen (Shedd Aquarium). They may be typically found around corals at depths between two to thirty feet deep.
The adult female can grow up to six inches long, while the adult male can grow up to nine inches in length. They have a color variation from orange with two white stripes on each side down their body over a black background.
Origin and descriptions
The Red Sea Clownfish, sometimes called the Tomato clownfish or Ocellaris clownfish originates from the Indian Ocean and is a close relative to its Pacific counterpart. The fish will typically grow between six and ten centimeters in length with females growing slightly larger than males.
Species profile
This species is endemic to the Red Sea, which means it is found nowhere else on Earth. The clownfish’s natural habitat includes lagoons and seaward reefs down to depths of about 16 feet (five meters). The clownfish can be found in small groups of six or seven fish. They are often seen alone, though.
The Red Sea Clownfish is a very adaptable species and lives in water with low to moderate currents and rich coral growths which provide lots of nooks and crannies for the sea anemone to inhabit.
It is also known as the anemonefish because it likes to live in these sea anemones, which are poisonous to other fish except for this one species. The clownfish’s bright orange coloration acts as a warning sign that lets predators know about its immunity!
Scientific name
The scientific name of the Red Sea Clownfish is Amphiprion bicinctus.
Color and appearance
The Red Sea Clownfish has a bright orange body with two white bars. The first bar extends from the middle of its head to about halfway down its sides and an oblique second band runs between this one and the caudal peduncle (fleshy area near the base of tail). They have eight dorsal spines, three anal spines, 15-17 dorsal soft rays, and 12-14 anal soft rays.
The Red Sea Clownfish has a compressed body shape with two distinct bars on its side to help blend in with the sea anemone’s tentacles.
Range and habitat
The Red Sea Clownfish is found in the Indo-Pacific from East Africa to Hawaii, as well as south Japan and Australia. They are endemic to the Red Sea, but they can also be seen as far north as Israel’s Gulf of Eilat!
These clownfish live at depths between 5 and 50 feet (2 and 16 meters) When they are in their natural habitat, the clownfish can be found in small groups of six or seven fish.
Size
The Red Sea Clownfish grows to be about 11 cm (four inches) long and weighs about 28 grams (one ounce).
Tank size
The Red Sea Clownfish can live in a tank that is at least 30 gallons. Its environment should have several hiding places for this clownfish to feel comfortable, whether they are created by rocks or artificial structures such as flowerpots and caves.
It’s important to note that even if water quality is maintained well within the aquarium, these sensitive fish are susceptible to ich, a parasite that causes white spots on the skin.
Life cycle
Some clownfish are born as males but change sexes when they mature to accommodate an established harem or non-reproductive individuals in a group.
This process can take multiple years for the fish. Clownfishes lay their eggs on the underside of solid surfaces such as rocks and corals.
They can lay 100 to 200 eggs at a time, which takes about six days for the larvae to hatch after fertilization. These young fish will remain near their parents and be cared for by them until they are old enough to go off on their own.
Are they aggressive or peaceful?
Red Sea Clownfish are peaceful fish that can be kept in a community tank with other non-aggressive species.
They should not be housed with more aggressive clownfish such as the Ocellaris or Maroon Clowns, and it’s best to avoid large angelfish and groupers. They may also do well with dwarf puffers of their own kind.
They can be kept with other clownfish and even some non-aggressive invertebrates such as urchins, starfish, or sea anemones that provide a place for them to hide during the day.
While these fish are generally peaceful, it’s important not to keep more than one male in an aquarium because they may fight.
Red sea clownfish care
They are relatively easy to care for and maintain but do need specific water needs that must be monitored using a test kit or meter. Although they can live in reef tanks, it’s best not to keep them with corals because of their aggressive behavior towards each other.
What they eat
As with most clownfish, the red sea clown is an omnivore and will eat a variety of different foods. They also need to be fed several times a day with foods high in protein, including vitamin-enriched brine shrimp or Mysis shrimp.
Tank mates
Although they are considered reef safe, the red sea clownfish can be aggressive towards other fish that will fit inside their mouths. This can lead to them attacking and killing these small fish in the tank. They also have a tendency of nipping at coral polyps which makes it difficult for them to live with corals in an aquarium environment.
Water conditions
Although the red sea clownfish do live in water with a low pH, they can adapt to living in higher pH levels. However, it is best to keep them with an optimal level of between eight and nine on the pH scale.
They also prefer a specific gravity that ranges from 1.25 to 1.65, as well as temperatures ranging from 25˚C to 28˚C. Along with these water conditions, the red sea clownfish requires a specific amount of nitrate. So it’s crucial to keep them in a tank that has been previously cycled and filtered properly so they can thrive for many years.
Breeding Clownfish
Breeding Clownfish is a relatively easy process, however, the majority of people are not successful. There are several factors that will determine if your clowns can breed or not, including age and size. The most important factor to consider when breeding clownfish is whether they have been living in an aquarium environment long enough for their immune system to adapt.
If they have been living in an aquarium environment long enough, the next step would be to make sure their water parameters are as close as possible to those of a wild clownfish’s natural habitat.
In order for Clownfish to breed, you must first provide them with plenty of hiding spaces and places that allow for spawning behavior such as bubbling.
There are several ways to encourage breeding behavior in clownfish, but the best way is usually by changing their lighting schedule to mimic a full moon or new moon.
The last step you must take before your Clowns will breed is feeding them foods rich with carotenoids such as frozen brine shrimp and carrots.
Lifespan
Red sea clownfish live an average of five to eight years in the wild, but their lifespan can extend up to fifteen if they are living in captivity. In order for clownfish to maintain a longer life span, it is important that you provide them with proper water parameters and feed them foods rich with carotenoids regularly.
Parasites and diseases
Red sea clownfish are susceptible to many different types of parasites and diseases, but by following proper water parameters you can prevent most. Clowns should be checked regularly for ich or white spot disease which appears as small spots on their skin.
The only type of parasite that is commonly found in captive marine life is Brooklynella Hostilis (Brook) which looks like small white dots on the fish’s body.
Brooklynella Hostilis (Brook) should be taken seriously because it could lead to death if the fish is not treated quickly and properly.
If your clownfish is exhibiting any type of strange behavior, such as scratching against rocks or not eating, it may be suffering from Brooklynella Hostilis (Brook) and should be taken to a veterinarian immediately.
Predators
Clownfish are preyed upon by a variety of fish including butterflyfish, scorpionfish, moray eels, and some types of surgeonfish.
Their only real threat in the wild is humans who catch them for aquariums or kill them for food. Clownfish do not have any known predators when living inside an aquarium environment with other fish.
They are not endangered in the wild, but their population has been decreasing due to the loss of habitat and collection for aquariums. The clownfish is listed as an animal that would be threatened if the trade was stopped completely because they have not fully adapted to life outside of captivity yet.
Does it make good pets?
Red sea clownfish make good pets because they are relatively easy to care for and require minimal interaction with humans. They do not produce as much waste as other saltwater fish, which makes them a better option if you don’t have an advanced filtration system.
The only requirement the clownfish has is that it needs proper water parameters and eats a varied diet rich with carotenoids. They are not the best choice for people who want to interact with their fish on a regular basis because they prefer hiding spaces rather than being out in the open.
Conclusion
Not only are red sea clownfish easy to care for, but they also make great pets because of how beautiful and unique their colors are. Clownfish can live an average of five to eight years in the wild, but that number is extended if they are living in captivity.
