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Anemone demoiselle (Amphiprion ocellaris) — Pomacentridae

Anemone demoiselle

Amphiprion ocellaris
Family: Pomacentridae
LC · Least Concern

The Anemone demoiselle (Amphiprion ocellaris) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–15.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; lagoon and seaward reefs, in symbiosis with sea anemones.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The ocellaris clownfish is the best-known damselfish of the family Pomacentridae from the Indo-West Pacific, famous as 'Nemo'. The species grows to about 11 cm and has a bright orange body with three white, black-edged crossbars. It lives in symbiosis with large sea anemones: thanks to a protective mucus layer it is immune to the venomous tentacles and shelters among them from predators. Each anemone hosts a small group with one dominant female. All individuals are born male; the largest changes into a female (protandry). As an omnivore it feeds on zooplankton, algae and small invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Anemone demoiselle?

The Anemone demoiselle has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a vertical stripes pattern. The 'Nemo' clownfish; lives protected among sea anemones, born male, the largest becomes female (protandry).

Where does the Anemone demoiselle live?

The Anemone demoiselle lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; lagoon and seaward reefs, in symbiosis with sea anemones.

How big does the Anemone demoiselle get?

The Anemone demoiselle grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Anemone demoiselle dangerous to humans?

No, the Anemone demoiselle is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Anemone demoiselle edible?

The Anemone demoiselle is not usually eaten.

More photos

Anemone demoiselle (Amphiprion ocellaris) — Pomacentridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Francesco Ricciardi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Anemone demoiselle (Amphiprion ocellaris) — Pomacentridae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Josuevg (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Anemone demoiselle (Amphiprion ocellaris) — Pomacentridae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Jan Derk (Public domain)
Anemone demoiselle (Amphiprion ocellaris) — Pomacentridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) uwkwaj, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Anemone demoiselle verified
Scientific name
Amphiprion ocellaris
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Anemone fish; Clown anemonefish; Clownfish; False clown anemonefish; Common clownfish; Damselfish; Demoiselle; False clownfish; Nemo; Puller; Western clown anemonefish; Western clownfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy 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)
15.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; lagoon and seaward reefs, in symbiosis with sea anemones. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton, algae and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protandrous (male first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
The 'Nemo' clownfish; lives protected among sea anemones, born male, the largest becomes female (protandry). sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. 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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