The Breeder’s Registry© Information contained in this report is taken from submitted observations from aquarist unless noted otherwise (see comments). Information may be reproduced providing the Breeder’s Registry is cited.

Breeder ID: AMPFRE-030199-ZEISUS-006

Date received: 3/1/99

Identification: Amphiprion frenatus (Brevoort, 1856)

Geographic origin: Pacific (Malaysia northwards towards Japan)  

Taxonomy: (after I.C.Z.N.)

Kingdom Animalia

Phylum Chordata Subphylum Vertebrata

Class Osteichthyes

Order Perciformes Superorder Teleostei

Family Pomacentridae

Genus Amphiprion

Species frenatus (Brevoort, 1856)

Description: One of the larger species of anemonefish attaining a maximum length of 140 mm. Females larger than males (typical) with red to blackish coloration on most of body with a single vertical white bar behind the eye . Male is generally redder. Juveniles may have 2 – 3 white bars. Commonly associated with the anemone Entacmaea quadricolor (Rüppell & Leuckart, 1828).

Length of time in captivity- male: 11 months

Size male (mm): 76

Length of time in captivity-female: 11 month

Size female (mm): 102

Adult diet: frozen brine shrimp and red worms, 3 – 4 times per week.

Pre-spawning activity: not indicated

Time spawning began: late evening to early morning

Area spawning occurred: near anemone on the side of a rock

Frequency of spawning: varied; 2 – 6 weeks

Egg description: very dark rose-pink

Approximate quantity: 100 – 300

Size: ~ 3 mm

Egg changes / development: Daily changes from dark rose to light pink to a pink/gray color. Eyes went from little black pinpoints to large silver disks.

Incubation period: 12 – 14 days

Time hatching occurred: no hatching. Male has eaten each nest

Transfer / removal method: Twice eggs were transfered using a bowl (never exposed to air). 10 times left with parents.  

Spawning tank size (liter): 110

Sides of tank covered? no (although once covered tank with black paper)

Lighting & photo period: 175 watt Diamond Horticulture light (German). 14 hours. Bulb ~ 25 cm from surface

Filtration: Central CPR Aquatic Bak-Pak SM2.

Additives and dosages: Instant Ocean ® ASW. 15% changed weekly. Make water is aged tap water. Iodine, 8 drops per day [calculated 0.47 – 0.94 ppm/day added to tank (based on 5% KI)]

Water temperature (F): 78 ðF

Specific gravity: 1.024

pH: 8.2 – 8.4

Nitrate: 5 – 10 ppm

Original description: Brevoort 1856, Perry Exped. v. 2 (fig. 4) from specimens collected at Okinawa, Ryukyu Is., Japan. Based on a drawing. Validated by Allen 1991. Later described as Prochilus polylepis, by Bleeker 1877 in Versl. Akad. Amsterdam (Ser. 2) v. 11 from specimens
collected at Amboina, in southeast New Guinea. Synonym of Amphiprion frenatus.

Word origin: Amphiprion is from the Greek roots amph, -I, -o, meaning Around, on both sides; double, and -prion which means a saw. The genus frenatus is from the Latin root fren, -a, -at, =um, meaning bridle, probably in reference to the single head stripe.

Suggested Reading:

Fautine, Daphine G. and Allen, Gerald R., Anemone Fishes and their Host Sea Anemones, 1994,
Tetra-Press, Tetra Werke, Dr. rer. Nat. Ulrich Baensch GmbH, P. O. Box 1580, D-49304 Mella,
Germany. Distributed in USA by TetraSales (Division of Warner Lambert), 3001 Commerce
Street, Blacksburg, VA 24060-6671, USA. WL-Code: 16088. ISBN 1-56465-118-5, hardbound,
157 pages.

Hoff, Frank H., Conditioning, Spawning and rearing of Fish with Emphasis on Marine
Clownfish, 1996, Aquaculture Consultants, Inc., 33418 Old Saint Joe Road, Dade City, FL
33525, USA, softbound, 212 pages.

Moe, Martin A., The Marine Aquarium Reference: systems and invertebrates, Green Turtle
Publications, Plantation, FL 33318 USA 1989 ISBN 0-939960-05-2 : 21.95

Wilkerson, Joyce D., 1998, Clownfishes: A Guide to their Captive Care, Breeding & Natural History, Microcosm Ltd., Shelburne, Vermont. ISBN 1-890087-04-1 softbound, 240 pages.

About this report: Information contained in this report is taken from submitted observations. Taxonomy, Synonomy, Original description , Word origin and Suggested reading are provided by member(s) of The Breeder’s Registry staff. Information is presented under the belief that it is
accurate. If you have information in addition to, or contrary to that presented you are encouraged to contact the Breeder’s Registry. Permission is granted for “one-time” personal use. Reproduction as distributed or accessible media is prohibited without prior written permission. All rights reserved. 1999