Among the clownfish, there is one species that impresses with its deep red color and black "mask" on the body. Amphiprion melanopus, or red-backed clown, is a true star of coral reefs due to its bright appearance and resolute character.
✔ Dark red or dark brown body with bright lips
✔ One white or pale blue stripe behind the eyes
✔ It lives in symbiosis with bubble anemones
✔ Territorial and aggressive towards other fish
Let's learn more about this fiery reef dweller!
Scientific classification
✔ The Kingdom: Animals (Animalia)
✔ Type: Chordal (Chordata)
✔ Class: Lucheperi pisces (Actinopterygii)
✔ Row: Perch-like (Perciformes)
✔ Family: Pomacentrovye (Pomacentridae)
✔ Gender: Amphiprion
✔ View: Amphiprion melanopus (Bleeker, 1852)
📌 Interesting!
Title melanopus it comes from the Greek and means "black leg"which probably hints at the dark coloration of the swimmers.
Appearance
🔹 Body shape:
✔ Oval, flattened on the sides
✔ Compact enough that you can quickly maneuver among the anemones
🔹 Color scheme:
✔ Main color – dark red or dark brown
✔ One white or pale blue stripe behind the eyes
The pelvic and anal fins are usually black ones
✔ Lips and pectoral fins – bright red or orange
🔹 Sizes:
✔ Average length: 9-12 cm
✔ Maximum length: up to 15 cm
📌 Interesting!
Some individuals may have a darker or lighter color depending on the habitat.
Range and habitat
🌍 Where does amphiprion red-lipped live?
✅ Western Pacific
Great Barrier Reef (Australia), Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu
, Northern part of Indonesia
🔹 Living environment:
✔ Prefers coral reefs at depths of 1-20 meters
✔ Frequently encountered among corals, near sandy lagoons and in the gorges of reefs
✔ Always lives near sea anemone
📌 Interesting!
This species avoids open water, preferring to hide among corals and anemones.
Symbiosis with sea anemones
🔹 How does symbiosis work?
Amphiprion lives among the tentacles of the anemone, which protects it from predators
In return, it protects the anemone from predatory fish and cleanses it of food residues
🔹 What kind of anemones does it co-exist with?
✔ Entacmaea quadricolor (bubble anemone)
✔ Heteractis crispa (Crystal Rose anemone)
📌 Interesting!
If a red-lipped clown is moved to a new anemone, it needs time to adapt to its stinging cells.
Lifestyle and behavior
🔹 Social structure:
✔ Lives in groups: dominant female, male and several young individuals
✔ The largest individual – female, others are males
🔹 Defensive behavior:
✔ Very aggressive, especially when guarding your anemone
✔ Drives away even much larger fish
🔹 Life span:
✔ In the wild: 6-10 years old
✔ In captivity: up to 12 years old
📌 Interesting!
If the dominant female dies, the largest male changes sex and takes its place.
Nutrition and environmental role
🥗 What does amphiprion red-lipped eat?
✅ Small zooplankton
✅ Crustaceans
, Seaweed
🔹 Environmental role:
✔ Cleanses the anemone from food residues
✔ Controls the abundance of small marine organisms
📌 Interesting!
Clownfish can even bring small food to anemones, helping them survive.
Reproduction and development
🔹 Method of reproduction:
✔ Female lays eggs 200-700 eggs
✔ The male guards the clutch, ventilates the eggs
🔹 Development:
✔ Larvae swim in the water column up to 2 weeks
✔ Juveniles settle among anemones after metamorphosis
📌 Interesting!
The larvae are born colorless, and their red color develops after settling on the reef.
Amphiprion red-lipped and man
🔹 Popularity in aquariums:
✅ Often found in marine aquariums
Вынос Hardy, but aggressive towards other fish
🔹 Industrial value:
✅ Grown in nurseries for sale
📌 Interesting!
Because of its aggressive nature, it is better to keep it in a separate aquarium or together with larger fish.
Species conservation and environmental threats
🔹 Population status:
, The species is not under threat
🔹 Main threats:
Ruinuvannya coral reef destruction
Zabrudnennya ocean pollution
🔹 Security measures:
✔ Marine reserves
✔ Controlled catch
📌 Interesting!
The loss of anemones due to climate change can affect the abundance of this species.
Conclusion
🐠 Amphiprion melanopus is an aggressive but beautiful reef dweller, characterized by its bright color and unique behavior.
💡 Would you like to see this fire clown in the wild? 🔥🌊✨
