Maroon clownfish

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Maroon clownfish
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Perciformes Family: Pomacentridae Subfamily: Amphiprioninae Genus: Premnas Cuvier, 1816 Species: P. biaculeatus
Binomial name
Premnas biaculeatus (Bloch, 1790)

The maroon clownfish, Premnas biaculeatus, is a type of clownfish that is found in the Indo-Pacific from western Indonesia to Taiwan and the Great Barrier Reef.^[1] They can grow up to be about 17 cm (6. 7 in), and as they grow, they become more aggressive towards other clownfish. It is also known as the spine-cheeked clownfish, or the maroon anemonefish. It is the only member of the genus Premnas, although it has been suggested that the taxon epigrammata from Sumatra should be recognized as a distinct species, Premnas epigrammata (Fowler, 1904).^[2]

The stripes across the body are normally white, but they are yellow in the taxon epigrammata. The female is usually larger than the male and dark red or maroon, and the male smaller and a bright color red.

[edit] In the aquarium

A 30-gallon tank is suggested for one fish or 60 gallons for a pair. In the wild, it is strictly associated with the sea anemone Entacmaea quadricolor,^[1] and preferably this should also be provided in the aquarium. The maroon clownfish likes frozen shrimp and herbivore preparations. Because of its spines, this clownfish should not be caught using a net. The spines can get entangled in the the net, which can injure the fish. Instead, catching with a cup is recommended. The maroon clownfish is one of the larger, more aggressive members of the clown family. It is best to house them singly, the only exception being a mated pair. Do not mix the maroon clownfish with any other types of clownfish or bullying will occur. A good way to curb their aggression is to rearrange your rock work periodically. Also if you plan to keep one or a pair it is best to add them last. If the right parameters are met the maroon clown will be a hardy and amusing member of your aquarium community. They are human responsive to the point of trying to "intimidate" people they are not familiar with.

[edit] References

• Premnas biaculeatus (TSN 170216). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 30 January 2006.
• "Premnas biaculeatus". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. 10 2005 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2005.
• Fenner, Bob. 2005. Premnas biaculeatus - The Maroon Clownfish. SeaScope, Aquarium Systems, Inc. 22(1): 1-3.