Chagos Anemonefish

About

The Chagos anemonefish (Amphiprion chagosensis) is one of the more obscure members of the clownfish family, endemic to the Chagos archipelago. A remote island chain in the western Indian Ocean that sees very little human traffic. That geographic isolation makes this species a genuine rarity in the hobby, and for many fishkeepers it carries a certain appeal simply because of where it comes from. In the wild it favors the exposed slopes of seaward reefs, though it turns up on lagoon reefs and reef tops as well. Like its relatives, it forms a tight bond with its host anemone and breeds in monogamous pairs, with the male taking on the dutiful role of guarding and aerating the clutch of demersal eggs. Temperament-wise it fits the general clownfish mold. Reasonably peaceful and compatible with other non-aggressive tank mates, making it a workable choice for a community reef setup. At a maximum size just over four inches it doesn't need a huge footprint to thrive. Care requirements are broadly similar to other Amphiprion species, so anyone with clownfish experience should feel comfortable keeping this one, though sourcing it is likely to be the biggest challenge.