Bright orange clownfish with three white bands edged in black

Clown anemonefish

Amphiprion ocellaris
Where at Shedd?
Wonder of Water Wild Reef
Diet Algae and very small animals called zoobenthos and zooplankton
Size Length: Up to 4 inches (11 cm)
Type Fishes
Range Eastern Indian and West-Central Pacific Oceans
Habitat Coral reefs within the tentacles of anemones

Did you know?

  1. About 35 different species of clownfish exist and they can be found in a variety of colors, orange, red, pink and brown.
  2. Also known as anemonefish, clownfish find and choose their host anemones by scent.
  3. In return for safe haven, clownfish clean the anemones, chase away their predators and drop scraps of food for them to eat.
  4. Clownfish snuggle among the stinging tentacles of anemones.
  5. When no female is present, the largest male becomes female. Therefore the female is always the largest and most dominant fish in a clownfish social group. Clownfish form monogamous pairs.
  6. Males mostly care for the nests. They keep the eggs clean and well oxygenated by mouthing and fanning the eggs. They also “take out the trash” by removing any debris.
  7. Males also chase predators away from the nest. During acts of aggression, clownfish can produce sounds by snapping their tiny jaws together.
  8. Check the bottom corners of the habitat. If you’re lucky, you might find a cluster of bright orange clownfish eggs.