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twoband anemonefish

Scientific name Amphiprion bicinctus
Descriptor Rüppell
Year of description 1830
IUCN category (World) LC
Family Pomacentridae
Genus Amphiprion
Amphiprion bicinctus Amphiprion bicinctus
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Introduction

The Amphiprion bicincitus, sometimes called the twoband anemonefish, is found in tropical coral reefs off the northeastern coast of Africa. It is present from the Red Sea to the Chagos Archipelago.

Who is it?

Morphology

  • Type
    Clownfish
  • Average size
    10 cm
  • Maximum size
    14 cm
  • Longevity
    15 year
  • Shape
    Oval
  • Type
    Clownfish
  • Average size
    10 cm
  • Maximum size
    14 cm
  • Longevity
    15 year
  • Shape
    Oval

How to recognize the twoband anemonefish ?

Amphiprion bicincitus is easily recognizable by its orange-yellow color and its 2 white bands sometimes tinged with blue. The first band is generally wide.

Several species have similar patterns; however, the Amphiprion bicincitus has a yellow caudal fin (rather white in other species). Additionally, the first band is wider above the head. It could be easily confused with the Madagascar and Comoros twoband anemonefish but the second band is thinner and the tail is slightly truncated in the Amphiprion bicincitus. Similarly, it bears strong resemblances to the Chagos twoband anemonefish and the Allard's clownfish but these species have a white tail.

Sexual dimorphism

The female is larger than the male.

Behaviour & Life cycle

  • diet
    carnivorous
  • Sociability
    living in colonies
  • territorial
    Yes
  • Way of living
    diurnal

This fish lives in pairs or in small colonies in a mutualistic relationship with anemones. It is naturally associated with the following species: Entacmaea quadricolor, Heteractis aurora, Heteractis crispa, Heteractis magnifica, and Stichodactyla gigantea.

It protects its anemone from potential predators while taking advantage of it as a refuge. Logically, it is a territorial species that always resides in or near its anemone.

Reproduction

  • Reproduction
    ovipare qui pond sur substrat découvert
  • Hermaphrodite
    protandric

This fish is an oviparous species that spawns on exposed substrate. Males guard and aerate the eggs. After hatching, the larvae are carried away by ocean currents.

Sexual inversion occurs between 26 and 145 days. When there are no more females in the group, a male becomes female. In a field experiment, the removal of a female led to the "transformation" of a dominant male that spawned after 26 days.

Harmless species

This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.

Where to find it?

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

World : LC
France : NE

Geographic distribution & Conservation

This twoband anemonefish is found in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Chagos Archipelago.

Where to see this species?

aquarium-tropical

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Temperature
    22 - 28 °C
  • Depth
    1 - 30 m
  • Flow
    Medium and Slow

Biotope presentation

This species resides in coral areas of lagoons and outer reefs. They live in symbiosis with host anemones: Entacmaea quadricolor, Heteractis aurora, Heteractis crispa, Heteractis magnifica, Stichodactyla gigantea.

Species of the same biotope

Main recommendations for fishkeeping

Deontology

In order to preserve wildlife, if you acquire this animal, it must not be released into the wild. See also, the Fishipedia charter.

Fishipedia supports the practice of responsible and environmentally friendly aquarium keeping. We encourage maintenance if it is motivated by a desire to understand the biological functioning of living things and if it is done with respect for animal life.

We believe that aquaristics is an opening to the discovery of aquatic environments, especially freshwater, and that this knowledge is necessary to better protect and respect these environments. Logically, we refute the compulsive purchase of animals that would not find a sufficient and / or adapted place in the host aquarium.

Our recommendations

  • Min volume
    120 liters
  • Population min
    2
  • Temperature
    22 - 28 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    8.2 - 8.4

Characteristics

  • Difficulty breeding
    unknown
  • Robustness
    robust
  • Behaviour
    peaceful
  • Availability
    rare

General reminders

It is strongly advised to read the complete dedicated file and to get information on the feedbacks of maintenance of the envisaged animal, this to avoid any potential conflict whose end result is generally the death of the individual (or the other inhabitants). It is important not to overload your aquarium to limit pollution. This will make maintenance easier.

The realization of a seawater aquarium requires certain knowledge beforehand. Seawater is generally synthetic, consisting of reverse osmosis water and synthetic salt at a level of 33g / liters. It is also possible to take seawater directly (after making sure that the water is not polluted). The operation of a seawater aquarium is done in three phases: the installation of a living stone decoration, the introduction of invertebrates one month later, and the introduction of fish 3 months later. It is essential to wait as long as possible before to introduce the animals so that the micro-fauna has had time to develop well. The balance and the physico-chemical stability are fundamental for the success of this type of tank.

General reminder on maintenance datas

Le démarrage d'un aquarium est une partie primordiale pour l'équilibre et le bien-être des poissons. Lorsque l'on met en eau un aquarium, l'eau passe naturellement par un cycle biologique : le cycle de l'azote. Celui-ci dure environ trois semaines. Tous les 2 jours, nous vous conseillons de tester votre eau jusqu'à ce que le taux de nitrite soit à zéro pendant plusieurs jours d'affilée.

Pour accélérer ce cycle, vous pouvez utiliser un activateur de bactéries comme JBL Denitrol. Cette solution riche en bactéries vivantes et enzymes permet une mise en place rapide du cycle de l'azote. Les poissons peuvent alors être introduits plus rapidement.

Il est important de tester l'eau de son aquarium régulièrement pour maintenir un environnement sain pour les poissons et les autres habitants. Les tests d'eau permettent de mesurer les niveaux de différents paramètres tels que le pH, la dureté totale, ainsi que les taux de nitrates, de nitrites et d'ammoniaque.

Pour réaliser ces tests, vous pouvez utiliser des produits d'analyse spécialisés tels que JBL ProScan qui permet de réaliser un diagnostic de l'eau directement via un smartphone. Il existe également des coffrets de tests plus classiques de bandelettes, comme JBL PROAQUATEST.

En cas d’usage de l’eau du robinet, vous pouvez utiliser un conditionneur d’eau de type Biotopol de JBL pour éliminer les substances nocives comme le chlore, le cuivre, le plomb et le zinc. Les conditionneurs d'eau garantissent une meilleure santé aux poissons et une meilleure croissance des plantes.

Chlorine and chloramine are dangerous for the health of animals. Used to disinfect water, these agents are present in significant quantities in tap water. We recommend using an anti-chlorine agent every time you change the water. In addition to chlorine, treatments and medicines sold for aquarium use sometimes contain dangerous heavy metals in high doses.

Specific needs for the twoband anemonefish

The twoband anemonefish is a marine species which lives naturally at a temperature between 22 °C and 28 °C. For proper maintenance, the temperature should never exceed the 31°C for long periods. Nitrate levels should remain below 50mg/L. To keep the water clean and unpolluted, plan on changing 20% to 30% of the water volume each month. In seawater, it is also possible to remove nitrates using one of the following methods: Jaubert, denitrator on sulfur, biopeletts, vodka method.

This species is very rare in the aquarium trade. Instead, it is maintained by knowledgeable aquarists who own and breed individuals from wild origin strains. If you want to get this species, we advise you to contact specialized clubs. }Specimens from long time breeding are a bit easier to breed but you have to respect the particular water parameters.

Cohabitation & Environment

Being a living in colonies fish, it is advisable to install at least 2 individuals in an aquarium of 120 liters minimum (for 80 cm of frontage). Group maintenance is a prerequisite to ensure their well-being. Lonely individuals tend to quickly become stressed and become especially susceptible to disease.

Fearful by nature, it is advised not to let the twoband anemonefish cohabit with large territorial species or with too aggressive fish. It can easily evolve with territorial neighbors with a peaceful temperament or with non-territorial species.

Be careful to plan an adequate space for each territorial species. Each species should have a surface and a decor allowing it to juxtapose its territory with that of its neighbors.

Tips for feeding

The twoband anemonefish is carnivorous.

This species can eat dry food (flakes, pellets), fresh food and frozen food. To avoid deficiencies, it is recommended to vary the types of food.

You should not overfeed your residents to avoid polluting the water. For most species, it is better to feed a few small portions each day rather than one large meal.

Reproduction protocol

  • Maintenance difficulty
    moderate
  • Spawning cleaning
    Female & Male
  • egg-laying protection
    Female & Male
  • Fry protection

Hybridization risks

In general, it is advised not to mix several species of the same genus or different varieties of the same species, to avoid the risks of hybridization.

These animals might interest you

To go further

Species of the same family

To read on the web

BioObs fishbase EOL

Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Benoit Chartrer

Benoit Chartrer

Marc Raggi

Marc Raggi

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.

Bibliographic references

FIELD GUIDE TO ANEMONE FISHES AND THEIR HOST SEA ANEMONES - Dr. Daphne G. Fautin - GERALD R. ALLEN - Western Australian Museum - 1992.

POMACENTRIDAE - GERALD R. ALLEN - FAO Fisheries Synopsis - 2001. ISBN 92-5-104587-9

Evolution, Development and Ecology of Anemonefishes - Vincent Laudet - Timothy Ravasi - Taylor & Francis - 2023.

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Template and content © Fishipedia - Unauthorized reproduction without prior request - ISSN 2270-7247 - Last modification 12/11/2023

Where to see this species?

aquarium-tropical

Scientific partners

UICN France fishbase Worms BioObs

Tags

#Pomacentridae

#Amphiprion

#barrière de corail

#lagon

#Clownfish

#mer d'Oman

#Red Sea

Species of the same family

Same genus

Species of the same biotope

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