Tomato Clownfish
Amphiprion frenatus
Tomato clownfish are in the same family of clownfish as those from the movie Finding Nemo. Tomato clownfish are different from the typical clownfish due to their orange-red color and having one white bar behind their eyes. Tomato clownfish have a symbiotic relationship with sea anemones which allow both to be protected from predators.
SPECIES IN DETAIL
Tomato Clownfish
Amphiprion frenatus
CONSERVATION STATUS: Safe for Now
CLIMATE CHANGE: Uncertain
Geographic Distribution
Their range is from the Indo-Pacific area to Oceania. The tomato clownfish is found in the tropical Pacific ocean including Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Philippines, and Taiwan. They have been seen as far north as the Ryukyu Islands and the southern parts of Japan.
Habitat
Tomato clownfish live in their host anemone located in reefs at the depth of 1—12 meters (3.28 —39.37 feet). They are found in tropical waters and in the reef aquatic biomes.
Physical Characteristics
They have a dark orange-red body with a white bar behind their eyes.
Size
The grow to 14 centimeters (5.5 inches).
Diet
The tomato clownfish are omnivores and feed on algae, plankton, and crustaceans such as small shrimp, planktonic fish eggs, and crustacean larvae.
Reproduction
Tomato clownfish are monogamous; they have only one mate at a time. They are also protandrous hermaphrodites: all offspring are born male, but the most dominant and mature will change to female.
Behavior
Tomato clownfish are territorial. They have a social hierarchy with juveniles at the bottom followed by mature males and females at the top.
Adaptation
The tomato clownfish have a mucus coating on the outside of their skin, which allows them to be immune to the sting of their host anemone. This allows for them to be well protected from predators.
Longevity
In the wild these fish live six to ten years, but in an aquarium setting can live up to eighteen years.
Special Notes
Tomato clownfish have a symbiotic relationship with sea anemones.
They are all born male, but the most dominant fish will change to female.
SPECIES IN DETAIL | Print full entry
Tomato Clownfish
Amphiprion frenatus
CONSERVATION STATUS: Safe for Now
CLIMATE CHANGE: Uncertain
Their range is from the Indo-Pacific area to Oceania. The tomato clownfish is found in the tropical Pacific ocean including Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Philippines, and Taiwan. They have been seen as far north as the Ryukyu Islands and the southern parts of Japan.
Tomato clownfish live in their host anemone located in reefs at the depth of 1—12 meters (3.28 —39.37 feet). They are found in tropical waters and in the reef aquatic biomes.
They have a dark orange-red body with a white bar behind their eyes.
The grow to 14 centimeters (5.5 inches).
The tomato clownfish are omnivores and feed on algae, plankton, and crustaceans such as small shrimp, planktonic fish eggs, and crustacean larvae.
Tomato clownfish are monogamous; they have only one mate at a time. They are also protandrous hermaphrodites: all offspring are born male, but the most dominant and mature will change to female.
Tomato clownfish are territorial. They have a social hierarchy with juveniles at the bottom followed by mature males and females at the top.
The tomato clownfish have a mucus coating on the outside of their skin, which allows them to be immune to the sting of their host anemone. This allows for them to be well protected from predators.
In the wild these fish live six to ten years, but in an aquarium setting can live up to eighteen years.
Tomato clownfish have a symbiotic relationship with sea anemones.
They are all born male, but the most dominant fish will change to female.