Chocolate clown

About

The dusky anemonefish (Amphiprion melanopus) is one of the more visually distinctive clownfish you'll encounter, wearing deep reddish-orange body tones contrasted by a dark, almost chocolatey-black on the flanks and a single white head bar. That combination of colors is where the common nicknames 'chocolate clown' and 'red-and-black anemonefish' come from, and it genuinely sets this species apart from the more familiar orange-and-white clownfish most people picture. In the wild, it ranges widely across the western Pacific. From eastern Indonesia and the southern Philippines through Papua New Guinea, Queensland, the Solomon Islands, and out to Vanuatu and New Caledonia, typically living in lagoon and outer reef habitats. Its preferred host anemone is Entacmaea quadricolor, the bubble-tip anemone, though it will occasionally associate with Heteractis crispa. Like all clownfish, it's an omnivore in the wild, picking at planktonic crustaceans and algae. Breeding pairs show the same fascinating behavior seen across the genus. Demersal eggs tended carefully by the male, who fans and guards them until they hatch. Captive breeding has been established, so aquacultured individuals are available. This species carries a reputation for being more aggressive than many clownfish, so tank mate selection deserves some thought. A solid intermediate-level choice for a dedicated reef setup.