Last updated on June 11th, 2023 at 04:07 pm
Amphiprion chrysogaster is partly bright orange and black in color with white stripes and their fins will start to turn a light yellow when they reach the age of six. They live at depths between 20-55 meters but can be found up to 300 meters deep depending on how much sunlight is available. These fishes are very docile and do not have an appetite for other animals.
Common Name: Mauritian anemonefish
Family name: Pomacentridae
Genus and species: (Amphiprion ocellaris)
The Amphiprion chrysogaster is a small, saltwater fish. It has a black head with white stripes on the top of its body. The stripe is broken by a white bar on the fish’s forehead, and it has two white stripes just below.
They are often found in schools of six to eight individuals or more. They are herbivores that feed primarily on algae, diatoms, small invertebrates like copepods and amphipods as well as many species of sponges.
Origin and description
They are native to the Indo-Pacific, from shallow coastal waters and reefs of Indonesia eastward through the Philippines, Japan, and Australia.
This species is a type of butterflyfish that belongs to the family Pomacentridae. The first specimen was discovered by French zoologist Edouard Quoy during his 1824 exploration voyage to Indonesia.
These fish are herbivores that feed primarily on algae, diatoms, small invertebrates like copepods and amphipods as well as many species of sponges.
Species profile
The Amphiprion chrysogaster is a species of marine fish, they are very popular aquarium pets, and they have been bred with other varieties to create many color variations.
This type of clownfish can grow up to six inches long when fully mature and live for about five years on average. Males typically reach a length of five inches and females can grow to be close to seven.
Females will usually have a much slimmer shape than males, and their fins are often broader as well. Males will also possess three distinctive black stripes on each side of the body that starts at the eye area running all the way down towards the tail. These fish are kept successfully in a saltwater aquarium environment and may need some extra care when transitioning to freshwater.
These fish are carnivorous, so they will eat anything that is small enough for them to fit their mouth around. They have been known to consume shrimp pellets, live hermit crabs, blackworms as well as feeder guppies. Some owners may also feed them frozen krill, small shrimp, and other similar foods.
Feeding these fish is typically not too difficult to do as their diet does overlap with many of the types of food that are used for more common aquarium inhabitants. They eat a lot so it can be helpful to have some extra-large feeding items on hand just in case.
Color and appearance
The Amphiprion chrysogaster is a bright black color with three vertical stripes on each side of the body that start at the eye area and ends at the tail.
Habitat
The Amphiprion chrysogaster lives exclusively in the Indo-Pacific region, living in coral reefs and rocky areas. They are brightly colored fish that eat a lot of food which means they can be fed anything small enough for them to fit their mouths around. These colorful fish have been bred with other varieties to create many color variations.
Size
These fish can range from 12-15 inches long. They tend to be larger in aquariums where they are bred rather than found naturally.
Life cycle
The Amphiprion chrysogaster can live up to 15 years. They are hermaphrodites and will mate with other fish, either of the same or opposite sex. The females lay eggs in a rock crevice while males release sperm on top of them. Once fertilized, the eggs stick together for protection until they hatch out as larvae about six days later.
This species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN and has a wide distribution in tropical marine waters. They are found at depths ranging from 0 to 100 meters (330 feet) where they live among coral reefs or algal forests, but there has been some evidence of this species inhabiting subtropical environments too.
Amphiprion chrysogaster are omnivorous and will feed on zooplankton, shrimp, and small fish. They also have a symbiotic relationship with sea anemones where they nest in the tentacles for protection from predators, while getting food by eating any invertebrates that come too close to it. This species is known as ‘host-specific since they have a symbiotic relationship with one specific species of sea anemone, while other clownfish will nest in different types.
Are they peaceful or aggressive?
Amphiprion chrysogaster are peaceful and non-aggressive. They can thrive in all types of tanks with different water chemistry, but they prefer a saltwater tank to replicate their natural environment.
Where did the gold color come from?
The bright yellow or orange colors that Amphiprion chrysogaster have come from carotenoid pigments such as astaxanthin, which they get from their diet of shrimp and other crustaceans.
General care information
What do Amphiprion chrysogaster eat?
They eat shrimp, crab, scallops, and clams on the bottom of the tank with algae that grows on rocks. They’ll also take flake food once in a while but it’s not necessary for them to eat.
Tanks mates
Amphiprion chrysogaster can live in saltwater or freshwater. However, they’re happiest and do best when living with other clowns of the same species.
Water condition
The Amphiprion chrysogaster can be found in saltwater with a water temperature of 76 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit. The salty content should also be maintained at approximately one-tenth the level of seawater. This is helpful for their ability to control osmotic pressure, which aids them to breathe under low oxygen levels (although they live most often in warmer, shallower water with higher oxygen levels).
Breeding
The Amphiprion chrysogaster are sexually mature at two to three years old. Once they reach maturity, it’s a good idea to have more than one male and female in the tank. This is because they don’t always agree on which fish will be breeding with each other (although some couples that live together may stay monogamous for life). The female will lay eggs in a safe area with enough water current to take care of the fertilization process.
The Amphiprion chrysogaster is one type of saltwater fish that can be found at many pet stores or aquariums. They are primarily gold-colored and live most often in warmer, shallower waters with higher oxygen levels than other saltwater fish.
Lifespan
The Amphiprion chrysogaster can live for up to twenty years.
Parasites and diseases
One of the parasites that may affect Amphiprion chrysogaster is ichthyophthirius. This parasite lives on the surface and inside skin cells, where it can survive for days between feedings. It affects fish by damaging their body tissue and organs, as well as causing them to lose weight quickly due to anorexia (lack of food).
Predation
Amphiprion chrysogaster eats a variety of small invertebrates, such as bristle worms and amphipods. They hunt their prey using the sensory barbel on its chin to find hidden food items in the sand or other substrates. They are common inhabitants of coral reefs around Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia.
Does it make good pets?
This fish is a bit more difficult to care for. They are relatively large and require an aquarium with at least 55 gallons of water, preferably much larger.
Signs of a healthy fish
If you look at your Amphiprion chrysogaster, watch out for any of these signs:
- Does it have clear eyes?
- Is its skin smooth and firm to the touch?
- The fish should also be active around all day. If they are sluggish or hiding in a corner somewhere, that is not an indication of good health.