Sealife guideThe seychelles anemonefishAmphiprion fuscocaudatus
Last updated on 03/21/2025 at 11:43 PM
Taxonomy
English names
Seychelles anemonefish
French namesPoisson clown des Seychelles
Scientific nameAmphiprion fuscocaudatus (Allen, 1972)
Description
The Seychelles anemonefish measures on average between 5.5 and 6.7 inches in length when fully grown. The body of the Seychelles anemonefish is orange to dark brown from the ventral to the dorsal part. Its body features three vertical white stripes, with the first stripe located just behind its head and the last one near the base of its tail.
Like other clownfish species, this one exhibits sexual dimorphism with a social hierarchy based on sex. The largest individual in the group is always a dominant female.
Geographic range
The
Seychelles anemonefish is an endemic species of the
Seychelles, specifically found in the waters of the Aldabra Atoll reefs.
Habitat
The
Seychelles anemonefish is primarily found in shallow coral reefs up to 49 feet deep around the granite and coral islands of the
Seychelles.
The
Seychelles anemonefish is found close to the magnificent sea anemone (Radianthus magnifica), with which it shares a symbiotic relationship. The anemone offers protection from predators with its stinging tentacles, while the clownfish protects its host by warding off certain parasites and predators.
Additionally, thanks to a special mucus layer, the
Seychelles anemonefish is immune to the anemone's stings, allowing it to safely move within its tentacles.
Diet
The
Seychelles anemonefish is an omnivorous fish. It primarily feeds on zooplankton, including small
crustaceans and fish larvae. It also consumes algae found on the reef and leftover food from its anemone host.
Reproduction
The
Seychelles anemonefish follows a strict social hierarchy. The largest individual in the group is a dominant female, while the second largest is a breeding male. The other individuals in the group are immature juveniles.
Eggs are laid on a surface close to the anemone, and they are guarded by the male until they hatch, which occurs about 6 to 10 days after laying.
In a unique feature, if the dominant female disappears, the breeding male has the ability to transform into a female, a process known as protandry, to ensure the continuity of the group.
Did you know ?
Contrary to popular belief, not all clownfish live in the same anemone. The
Seychelles anemonefish actually prefers the magnificent sea anemone (Radianthus magnifica) !
Within the same genus
Within the same family
Discover also
The marine species in the Seychelles
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Seychelles islands

The Aldabra atoll