Maroon Clownfish

About

The three-band anemonefish (Amphiprion tricinctus) is a relatively uncommon clownfish in the hobby, largely because its natural range is quite restricted. Primarily the Marshall Islands in the western Pacific, with occasional reports from New Caledonia. It's a handsome fish, wearing a deep orange-to-brownish base color crossed by three distinct white bands, which separates it visually from the more familiar two-banded species many hobbyists know. In the wild, adults live in lagoons and along outer reef slopes, forming close partnerships with several anemone species including Entacmaea quadricolor and Heteractis crispa. Like other anemonefishes, it's diurnal and spends its day foraging for copepods and algae while staying close to its host. Breeding behavior follows the typical clownfish pattern: paired adults, eggs laid on hard substrate near the anemone, and the male taking responsibility for guarding and aerating the clutch until they hatch. Captive breeding has been documented, so captive-raised individuals do appear in the trade occasionally. Care falls into intermediate territory. Not the most demanding clownfish, but pairing this species with an appropriate host anemone, which has its own care requirements, pushes it beyond beginner territory. A well-established reef tank suits it well.