Sebae Clownfish

Habitat: Natural geographic location:
  The Sebae Clownfish was described by Bleeker in 1853. They are found in the Northern Indian Ocean including Java, Sumatra, Andaman Islands, India, SriLanka, Maldive Islands, and southern Arabian Peninsula.

Host Anemones: Stichtodactyla haddoni - Saddle anemone.

Status:
   These fish are not listed on the IUCN Red List.

Description:
   The Sebae Clownfish has a dark brown body with two wide vertical bands and an orange face. The anal fin is yellow and the caudal fin can be white or yellow. Juveniles are more yellow, getting browner as they age.
   This fish is sometimes mistaken for the Banded Clownfish (Clark's Clownfish) AmphiprionClarkii as they have a similar color pattern. The Sebae can be distinguished by its second white band that tips toward the back of the fish on top, extending onto the dorsal fin; also by its yellow anal fin.

Length/Diameter of fish:
   Sebae Clownfish or Seba's Anemonefish adults can grow to 12 cm ( 4.7 inches).

Maintenance difficulty:
   The Sebae Clownfish or Seba's Anemonefish is generally easy to keep. It is hardy and will take a variety of foods, making it easily kept in the aquarium without special care. It will do well in either a reef environment or a fish only aquarium. It needs both open space for swimming along with rocks/ corals that provide many crevices to hide in. No need for a sand bed. They like to have a host anemone, but it is not necessary.

Foods:
  The Sebae Clownfish will accept a wide variety of foods. Feed all kinds of live, frozen, and flake foods. Best to feed small amounts several times a day. In a reef situation they don't really need to be fed very often at all.

Maintenance:
   No special care or technique is needed to maintain this fish in the aquarium and it will become a hardy pet. It is usually a very active swimmer and it will venture to the surface for foods when well acclimated. Frequent water changes are not necessary, rather normal water changes at 10% biweekly or 20% monthly are fine.
   For more information see, Marine Aquarium Basics: Maintenance

Aquarium Parameters:
   The tank should be well decorated with rocks/ corals with many hiding places, as well as open areas for swimming. There is no need for a sand bed. It can be kept in either a fish only tank or a reef aquarium.
Minimum Tank Length/Size:
   A minimum 20 gallon (75 liters).
Light: Recommended light levels
   No special requirements.
Temperature:
   This species lives in tropical areas. Temperatures between 72 -78° F (22 - 25° C) will serve them well.
Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong
   Water movement is not a significant factor. It can tolerate a rather strong flow but slow-moving water will be more favorable for feeding.
Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom
   It swims actively, spending time in the open water as well as darting in and out of crevices in the decor. If it has a host anemone, it will spend most of its time in close proximity to it.

Social Behaviors:
   Like all damselfish, they can be territorial and aggressive, especially as they get older. They can be kept singly, and if two or three are added to the aquarium at the same time they may be compatible.

Sex: Sexual differences:
   The female is usually much larger than the male.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   Sebae Clownfish or Seba's Anemonefish are being bred in captivity. See general breeding techniques on the Breeding Marine Fish page.

Availability:
   This fish is generally readily available.

Authors: David Brough, CFS and Clarice Brough, CFS