Home · Pomacentridae · Black anemonefish
Black anemonefish (Amphiprion melanopus) — Pomacentridae

Black anemonefish

Amphiprion melanopus
Family: Pomacentridae
LC · Least Concern

The Black anemonefish (Amphiprion melanopus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–18.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The cinnamon clownfish is a damselfish (Pomacentridae) from the western Pacific. The species has a red-brown to cinnamon-coloured body with a white band behind the head and usually blackish flanks and fins. It lives in symbiosis with large sea anemones, among which it finds shelter; a mucus layer protects it from the stinging cells. It lives in small groups around a host anemone. As a protandrous hermaphrodite each fish starts as a male. It feeds on zooplankton, especially copepods, and algae. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black anemonefish?

The Black anemonefish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Black anemonefish live?

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

How big does the Black anemonefish get?

The Black anemonefish grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Black anemonefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Black anemonefish is harmless to humans.

Is the Black anemonefish edible?

The Black anemonefish is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kaneel-anemoonvis sourced
English name
Black anemonefish verified
Scientific name
Amphiprion melanopus
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Black anemonefish; Blackback anemonefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded 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)
18.0 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
5.0 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

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →