Among the clownfish, there are species that are quite rare and have unique features. Amphiprion nigripes, or blackfin clown, is one of these exclusive representatives. It stands out bright orange body with contrasting black pectoral fins, and also has a limited habitat – mostly in the Maldives.
✔ Bright orange body with black pectoral fins
✔ One white stripe behind the eyes
✔ It only lives in a few regions of the Indian Ocean
✔ Closely coexists with the anemone Entacmaea quadricolor
This unique species is a real treasure of coral reefs, and its rarity only increases interest in it. Let's find out more!
Scientific classification
✔ The Kingdom: Animals (Animalia)
✔ Type: Chordal (Chordata)
✔ Class: Lucheperi pisces (Actinopterygii)
✔ Row: Perch-like (Perciformes)
✔ Family: Pomacentrovye (Pomacentridae)
✔ Gender: Amphiprion
✔ View: Amphiprion nigripes (Regan, 1908)
📌 Interesting!
Title nigripes it comes from Latin and means "black legs", which directly indicates a characteristic feature-black pectoral fins.
Appearance
🔹 Body shape:
✔ Oval, flattened on the sides
✔ Compact enough that you can quickly maneuver among the anemones
🔹 Color scheme:
✔ Main color – rich orange or orange-red
✔ One blue-white stripe behind the eyes
✔ Black pectoral finsthat contrast with the body
✔ Pelvic and anal fins - from dark orange to Black
🔹 Sizes:
✔ Average length: 8-10 cm
✔ Maximum length: up to 12 cm
📌 Interesting!
This species has one of the most expressive colors among all clownfish due to the combination of a bright body and dark fins.
Range and habitat
🌍 Where does amphiprion nigripes live?
✅ Maldives - main place of residence
✅ Water near Sri Lanka and the Andaman Islands
✅ Indian Ocean, some reefs off western Indonesia
🔹 Living environment:
✔ Prefers coral reefs and lagoons with rich anemone colonies
✔ Occurs at depths of 2-25 meters
✔ Often inhabits in isolated areas of the reef, away from other clownfish species
📌 Interesting!
This species is endemic to the Maldives, making it one of the rarest of all clownfish.
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) is the only anemone he uses
📌 Interesting!
Unlike other clownfish, A. nigripes it is fussy about the type of anemone and almost always co-exists only with the bubble anemone.
Lifestyle and behavior
🔹 Social structure:
✔ Lives in groups: dominant female, male and several young individuals
✔ The largest individual – female, the rest are males
🔹 Defensive behavior:
✔ Very territorial and aggressive towards Fish approaching anemones
✔ Fends off even much bigger rivals
🔹 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 nigripes eat?
✅ Small zooplankton
✅ Crustaceans
, Seaweed
🔹 Environmental role:
✔ Cleanses the anemone from food residues
✔ Controls the abundance of small marine organisms
📌 Interesting!
These fish often observe the movements of other marine life and quickly hide in the anemone at the slightest danger.
Reproduction and development
🔹 Method of reproduction:
✔ Female lays eggs 200-500 eggs
✔ The male guards the clutch, cleans the eggs
🔹 Development:
✔ Larvae swim in the water column up to 2 weeks
✔ Juveniles settle among anemones after metamorphosis
📌 Interesting!
The larvae are initially transparent, and the characteristic color develops only after settling among the anemones.
Amphiprion nigripes and man
🔹 Popularity in aquariums:
Редко Rare, but sometimes kept in marine aquariums
Вынос Hardy, but sensitive to environmental changes
🔹 Industrial value:
✅ Bred in nurseries for sale
📌 Interesting!
This species is less popular among aquarists due to its rarity and difficulty adapting to captivity.
Species conservation and environmental threats
🔹 Population status:
✅ The species is not threatened, but its population is limited
🔹 Main threats:
Ruinuvannya coral reef destruction
Zabrudnennya ocean pollution
🔹 Security measures:
✔ Marine reserves
✔ Controlled catch
📌 Interesting!
The population of this species may decline due to the loss of anemones due to climate change.
Conclusion
🐠 Amphiprion nigripes is a rare and sophisticated reef dweller, striking for its contrasting color and selective selection of anemones.
💡 Would you like to see this rare clown in the wild? 🌊✨
