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Spinecheek anemonefish (Premnas biaculeatus) — Pomacentridae

Spinecheek anemonefish

Premnas biaculeatus
Family: Pomacentridae

The Spinecheek anemonefish (Premnas biaculeatus) is a fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
17 cm
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The spinecheek anemonefish is an anemonefish (Pomacentridae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species is bright red to chestnut with three narrow white crossbars and bears, characteristically, a backward-pointing spine on each cheek. Females are much larger than the males. It lives in symbiosis with large sea anemones, protected from the stinging cells, and rarely strays from its host. It feeds on zooplankton and algae. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spinecheek anemonefish?

The Spinecheek anemonefish is mainly red-orange and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Spinecheek anemonefish live?

The Spinecheek anemonefish is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Spinecheek anemonefish get?

The Spinecheek anemonefish grows to a maximum of about 17 cm. On average the species is around 10 cm.

Is the Spinecheek anemonefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Spinecheek anemonefish is harmless to humans.

Is the Spinecheek anemonefish edible?

The Spinecheek anemonefish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Wangstekel-anemoonvis sourced
English name
Spinecheek anemonefish sourced
Scientific name
Premnas biaculeatus
Family
Pomacentridae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
17.0 verified
Average length (cm)
10.2 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

Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
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
Yes inferred

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

More from the family Pomacentridae

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