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Black clown (Amphiprion clarkii) — Pomacentridae

Black clown

Amphiprion clarkii
Family: Pomacentridae
LC · Least Concern

The Black clown (Amphiprion clarkii) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–70.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Clark's anemonefish is a damselfish of the family Pomacentridae from the Indo-Pacific and one of the best-known anemonefishes. The species grows to about 15 cm and is dark to black with two or three white crossbars and yellow-orange fins; the colour varies greatly by region. It lives in symbiosis with sea anemones on lagoon and outer reefs, protected from the stinging cells by a special mucus layer. As an omnivore it eats algae, zooplankton and small invertebrates. Anemonefishes are protandrous hermaphrodites: they start as males and can later become females. They form monogamous pairs and are harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black clown?

The Black clown has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly black and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Black clown live?

The Black clown lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Black clown get?

The Black clown grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Black clown dangerous to humans?

No, the Black clown is harmless to humans.

Is the Black clown edible?

The Black clown is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Clarks anemoonvis sourced
English name
Black clown verified
Scientific name
Amphiprion clarkii
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Brown anemonefish; Chocolate clownfish; Clarcki's clown; Clark's anemonefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Black inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
70.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protandrous (male first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
11.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Amphiprion

More from the family Pomacentridae

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