The Eastern Skunk Anemonefish, Golden Anemonefish, Orange Anemonefish, Yellow Clownfish, Yellow Skunk Clownfish (Amphiprion sandaracinos) is a captivating marine fish known for its striking coloration and symbiotic relationship with anemones. This species is distinguished by its vibrant orange body, accented by three distinct white bands, and a bold black stripe running from its snout to its tail. This vibrant color pattern effectively camouflages the Amphiprion sandaracinos within its anemone home, offering protection from predators.
Description & Characteristics
Amphiprion sandaracinos is a relatively small fish, reaching a maximum size of 14.0 cm. Its body is elongated and laterally compressed, with a rounded head and a slightly pointed snout. The fish’s dorsal fin is long and continuous, while the anal fin is shorter and located ventrally. The caudal fin is rounded, and the pectoral fins are small and fan-shaped.
The most striking feature of the Amphiprion sandaracinos is its coloration. The body is a brilliant orange, adorned with three distinct white bands. One band runs behind the eyes, another behind the pectoral fins, and the third encircles the base of the caudal fin. A bold black stripe extends from the snout to the tail, further enhancing the fish’s distinctive appearance.
Habitat and Occurrence
Amphiprion sandaracinos is a common inhabitant of coral reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific region. They are typically found in shallow waters, ranging in depth from 3.0 to 20.0 meters. The Eastern Skunk Anemonefish, Golden Anemonefish, Orange Anemonefish, Yellow Clownfish, Yellow Skunk Clownfish, prefer habitats with high coral cover and a variety of anemones, including the Bubble-Tip Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) and the Maxi-Mini Anemone (Stichodactyla tapetum). Their preferred marine zones include the subtidal, sublittoral, infralittoral, and deep zone of the oceans from the lower limit of the intertidal zone to the shelf edge at about 200 m water depth. This makes them a prevalent presence in these aquatic ecosystems.
Taxonomy
Amphiprion sandaracinos belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Ovalentaria incertae sedis, and Family: Pomacentridae. This classification places it among the damselfishes and clownfishes, which are known for their bright coloration and diverse social structures.
Feeding
Amphiprion sandaracinos are omnivorous feeders, consuming a variety of food items. Their diet includes amphipods, brine shrimp nauplii, brine shrimps, copepods, cyclops, Daphnia salina, fish eggs, fish larvae, flakes, frozen food (small sorts), living food, lobster eggs, mysis, and zooplankton. Their opportunistic feeding habits contribute to their success within their coral reef environment.
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