Tomato Clownfish (Amphiprion frenatus) Care Guide

A bold, hardy clownfish with a deep tomato-red body and a single white headband. One of the more aggressive clownfish species, it fiercely defends its host anemone.

Overview

Amphiprion frenatus is a species in the family Pomacentridae. A bold, hardy clownfish with a deep tomato-red body and a single white headband. One of the more aggressive clownfish species, it fiercely defends its host anemone. Hardier than many other clownfish, making it a good choice for beginners to marine aquariums.

Taxonomy

Family: Pomacentridae
Genus: Amphiprion
Scientific name: Amphiprion frenatus
Other names: Bridled Clownfish
Origin: Western Pacific

Habitat

Distributed across the western Pacific from Japan and the Philippines south to the Java Sea. Lives in obligate symbiosis with the bubble-tip anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) on coastal reefs at depths of 1-12 m. Females are markedly larger and more aggressive than the single accompanying male.

Tank requirements

Minimum tank volume: 120 L
Temperature: 24-27 °C
pH: 8.1-8.4
GH: 8-12 °dGH
Water flow: moderate
Adult size: 8-14 cm
Lifespan: 10-20 years
Difficulty: beginner

Diet

Classified as omnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 2x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.

Compatibility

Temperament: semi-aggressive
Swimming level: middle
Compatible tank mates: Blue Chromis, Royal Gramma, Firefish Goby, Banggai Cardinalfish
Avoid with: Other Clownfish, Maroon Clownfish

Reef compatibility

Generally classified as reef-safe: does not feed on stony or soft corals, tridacnid clams or ornamental shrimps under normal conditions.

Breeding

Breeding strategy: substrate-spawner
Breeding difficulty: intermediate