Home · Pomacentridae · Mauritian anemonefish
Mauritian anemonefish (Amphiprion chrysogaster) — Pomacentridae

Mauritian anemonefish

Amphiprion chrysogaster
Family: Pomacentridae

The Mauritian anemonefish (Amphiprion chrysogaster) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–40.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Madagascar, Mauritius

Want the complete picture on the Mauritian anemonefish?

Get the app

Description

The Mauritian anemonefish is an anemonefish (Pomacentridae). The species is endemic to Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, grows to about 15 cm and has a dark-brown to black body with two to three white crossbars and a yellowish belly. 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 Mauritian anemonefish?

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

Where does the Mauritian anemonefish live?

The Mauritian anemonefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Africa: Madagascar, Mauritius

How big does the Mauritian anemonefish get?

The Mauritian anemonefish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Mauritian anemonefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Mauritian 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.

More photos

Mauritian anemonefish (Amphiprion chrysogaster) — Pomacentridae — 2
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Mauritian anemonefish (Amphiprion chrysogaster) — Pomacentridae — 3
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Mauritian anemonefish (Amphiprion chrysogaster) — Pomacentridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) James Lefebvre, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Mauritian anemonefish (Amphiprion chrysogaster) — Pomacentridae — 5
P.C. Heemstra (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Mauritian anemonefish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Mauritian anemonefish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Mauritian anemonefish sourced
Scientific name
Amphiprion chrysogaster
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Mauritian anemonefish; Orange-fin anemonefish; Mauritian anémone fish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Natural range
Africa: Madagascar, Mauritius 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

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

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Mauritian anemonefish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Mauritian anemonefish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Mauritian anemonefish? Get the app