Spine-cheek Clownfish, Premnas biaculeatus (Bloch, 1790)
Spine-cheek Anemonefish, Tomato Clownfish
Click to enlarge image
© Matt Dowse
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Premnas
- Species
- biaculeatus
- Family
- Pomacentridae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- It grows to about 16 cm in length.
Introduction
The Spine-cheek Clownfish occurs on coral reefs in marine waters of the eastern Indian and western Pacific Oceans. The species lives among the tentacles of the sea anemone Entacmaea quadricolor.
Identification
The Spine-cheek Clownfish can be recognised by its brown to red body, two or three pale (usually white) bands, and a long spine below both eyes.
Habitat
The species lives among the tentacles of the sea anemone Entacmaea quadricolor.
Distribution
Spine-cheek Clownfish occurs on coral reefs in marine waters of the eastern Indian and western Pacific Oceans. In Australia it is known from the offshore islands of north-western Western Australia and from the northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
Feeding and diet
The species feeds on zooplankton and algae.
References
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
