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Barrier reef anemonefish (Amphiprion akindynos) — Pomacentridae

Barrier reef anemonefish

Amphiprion akindynos
Family: Pomacentridae

The Barrier reef anemonefish (Amphiprion akindynos) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–25.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, New Caledonia, Viet Nam, Tonga
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Barrier reef anemonefish is an anemonefish (Pomacentridae). The species is from the southwest Pacific, around the Great Barrier Reef, grows to about 9 cm and has an orange-brown body with two white crossbars. It lives in symbiosis with large sea anemones, protected from the stinging cells by a special mucus layer, and rarely strays far from its host. It eats zooplankton and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Barrier reef anemonefish?

The Barrier reef anemonefish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Barrier reef anemonefish live?

The Barrier reef anemonefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, New Caledonia, Viet Nam, Tonga

How big does the Barrier reef anemonefish get?

The Barrier reef anemonefish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Barrier reef anemonefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Barrier reef anemonefish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Barrier reef anemonefish edible?

Yes, the Barrier reef anemonefish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Barrier reef anemonefish (Amphiprion akindynos) — Pomacentridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Paul from United Kingdom (CC BY 2.0)
Barrier reef anemonefish (Amphiprion akindynos) — Pomacentridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Kelly-Anne Masterman, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Barrier reef anemonefish (Amphiprion akindynos) — Pomacentridae — 4
sarahryan99 (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Barrier reef anemonefish (Amphiprion akindynos) — Pomacentridae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — ★Kumiko★ (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Barrier reef anemonefish sourced
Scientific name
Amphiprion akindynos
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Barrier Reef anemonefish; Barrier reef anemonefish; Brown anemonefish; Guarded anemone fish; Two-banded anemonefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, New Caledonia, Viet Nam, Tonga sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

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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