White Bonnet Anemonefish Care Guide
Amphiprion leucokranos is a naturally occurring hybrid anemonefish from the western Pacific, distinguished by a white cap on top of the head.
Overview
Amphiprion leucokranos is a marine anemonefish of the family Pomacentridae found in the western central Pacific. The body is orange to light brown with a white head bar and a distinctive white mark or cap on top of the head. Its hybrid status was confirmed in 2015 through ecological, morphological and genetic evidence, with Amphiprion chrysopterus and Amphiprion sandaracinos identified as parent species.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pomacentridae
- Genus: Amphiprion
- Scientific name: Amphiprion leucokranos
- Origin: naturally occurring hybrid of Amphiprion chrysopterus and Amphiprion sandaracinos
- Common name: White bonnet anemonefish
Habitat
The species occurs along the north coast of New Guinea and around Manus Island, the D'Entrecasteaux Islands, New Britain and the Solomon Islands, the region where the ranges of its two parent species overlap. FishBase records it from lagoons and outer reef slopes at depths of about 2-12 m. It hosts in three anemone species: Heteractis crispa, Heteractis magnifica and Stichodactyla mertensii.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 150 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 11-12 cm
- Lifespan: 11-13 years
Reef compatibility
Amphiprion leucokranos is reef-safe and does not harm corals or invertebrates. One of its host anemones is appreciated but not essential for captive care.
Diet
It is an omnivore that feeds on zooplankton and algae in the wild. In aquaria it accepts marine pellets, frozen mysis and enriched brine shrimp, fed about twice daily.
Compatibility
The fish is semi-aggressive and territorial near 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 strict size-based dominance hierarchy. Spawning is oviparous with distinct pairing; the demersal eggs adhere to substrate and are guarded and aerated by the male. It has been reared in captivity.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern, assessed in 2021.