Orange-fin Anemonefish Care Guide
Amphiprion chrysopterus is a widespread western Pacific anemonefish with two white bars and orange fins, reaching about 17 cm.
Overview
Amphiprion chrysopterus is a marine anemonefish of the family Pomacentridae with a broad western Pacific distribution. The body is yellow-brown to dark brown with two white vertical bars, the first behind the eye and the second before the anus, and yellow to orange fins. Tail colour varies by region, being yellow in Fiji and Tonga populations and white in Marshall and Solomon Islands populations.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pomacentridae
- Genus: Amphiprion
- Scientific name: Amphiprion chrysopterus
- Common name: Orange-fin anemonefish
Habitat
The species occurs across the western Pacific from Queensland and New Guinea to the Marshall and Tuamotu islands, inhabiting reef passages and slopes. FishBase records it as a non-migratory, reef-associated fish at depths from the surface to about 40 m. It is a generalist that associates with several anemone species, including bubble-tip, beaded, sebae, magnificent, corkscrew-tentacle, Haddon's and Mertens' carpet anemones.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Carbonate hardness (dKH): 8-12
- Specific gravity: 1.024-1.026
- Maximum size: about 17 cm
- Lifespan: 14-17 years
Reef compatibility
Amphiprion chrysopterus is reef-safe and does not damage corals or invertebrates. As one of the larger anemonefish, it benefits from a spacious tank and a sizeable host anemone, though a host is not essential in captivity.
Diet
It is omnivorous, feeding in the wild on planktonic copepods, algae, echiuroid and sipunculoid worms and pelagic tunicates. In aquaria it accepts marine pellets, frozen mysis and enriched brine shrimp, offered about twice daily.
Compatibility
The fish is semi-aggressive and defends a territory around its host. Tangs, royal gramma, wrasses and cleaner shrimp are suitable companions, while other clownfish species and aggressive triggerfish should be avoided. Keep one bonded pair per anemone.
Breeding
The species is a protandrous sequential hermaphrodite with a single breeding pair per group within a strict dominance hierarchy. Spawning is oviparous with external fertilization; the demersal eggs adhere to substrate and are guarded and aerated by the male.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern, assessed in 2021.