Clownfish, also known as anemonefish, are native to the warmer tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific and are simply a diver’s delight to watch. Wherever you spot a sea anemone, chances are that a family of clownfish is probably sheltered in it. Even though most clownfish are instantly recognizable as clownfish, determining the variety of clownfish is challenging for even the most seasoned divers. With twenty-eight different varieties of clownfish, it is no wonder that it is often difficult for divers to identify the variety of clownfish correctly. We have put together a two-part basic Clownfish Identification guide that should help you more easily recognize these delightful fish.
Pink Skunk Clownfish
Also known as the False Skunk-striped Anemonefish, the Pink Skunk Clownfish is instantly recognizable by its pink to peach-orange base color, with a single white stripe that runs from the nose down the entire length of the back. Just behind its eyes, it has another white stripe that runs vertically. The Pink Skunk Clownfish is generally a smaller variety of clownfish, growing to a length of around 3.9 inches. They are found primarily in the western Pacific or eastern Indian Ocean.
Tomato Clownfish
Also known as the Red Clownfish or Bridled Clownfish, these fish are found throughout the Pacific, typically among the Bubbletip Sea Anemone, making them easy to locate. The Tomato Clownfish is a bright orange-red with one white vertical stripe behind the eye and can grow to 5 inches in length.
Ocellaris Clownfish
Also known as the False Percula Clown, these fish are often mistaken for the Percula Clownfish, as their color pattern is similar but not as bright as that of the Percula. The Ocellaris is perhaps one of the most instantly recognizable clownfish, featured in the animated film “Finding Nemo” as the lead character, Nemo. It has an orange body color with three white vertical stripes on its body and black tips on the fins. Ocellaris also comes in a black variety with no orange, which makes a striking contrast against the white stripes. Ocellaris can grow up to 8 inches in length.
Percula Clownfish
Also known as the true Percula Clownfish or Clown Anemonefish, these fish are similar in appearance to the Ocellaris, characterized by an orange base and three white vertical stripes. However, Percula Clownfish have a bright orange color, thicker black outlines, and do not exceed 4.5 inches in length. Perculas are also distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific and are common residents of reefs in this region.
Part 2 of the article ‘Clown Fish Identification’ continued here.
