Latin name

Amphiprion sandaracinos

Other name

Orange anemonefis

Identification

The body of these fish has an oval shape, with the body compressed on the sides and a round profile. 

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6 - 18; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 12.

Fish colouring

Their coloration is bright orange with a white stripe on the dorsal crest from the upper lip, running between the eyes and ending at the base of the caudal fin. All fins are the same color as the body except the dorsal fin, which is partially white. The iris is bright yellow.

Distribution

Widespread in the center of the Indo-Pacific region known as the Coral Triangle, from the Philippines to Indonesia and New Guinea. They are also found in northwestern Australia, Christmas Island, Melanesia, and the Ryukyu Islands in southern Japan. 

Habitat

A marine tropical species. A. sandaracinos usually lives in small groups on the outer slopes of reefs or in lagoons at a maximum depth of 20 meters (66 feet).

Size

One of the smallest anemonefish, growing to 11 cm (4.3 inches) in the female and 3 to 6.5 cm (1.2 to 2.6 inches) in the male.

Behavior

There have been observations of individuals of A. sandaracinos and a pair of A. clarkii coexisting within the same anemone host, Stichodactyla mertensii. A. clarkii showed no aggression towards A. sandaracinos, but was aggressive towards any fish that approached the anemone. The anemonefish did not segregate the host into separate territories. Orange skunk clownfish do not migrate.

Food and feeding habits

A. sandaracinos is omnivorous and its diet is based on zooplankton, small bottom crustaceans and algae.

Reproduction

Monogamous. Hermaphroditic species. Length at sex change = 5.1 cm. Egg-laying, mating during reproduction. Eggs are on the bottom and adhere to the substrate. Males guard and aerate eggs. 

Fishing

A. sandaracinos is collected together with its host anemones for the aquarium trade.

Relationship with a person

Harmless.