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Saddleback Clownfish
Clownfish

Saddleback Clownfish

Amphiprion polymnus

The saddleback clownfish is a dark brown-to-black anemonefish marked by a white head bar and a distinctive incomplete white saddle across the mid-back, with yellowish fins and an orange-flushed face. Unlike most clowns it is a lagoon and sandflat species that partners with sand-anchored host anemones such as the carpet (Stichodactyla) and long-tentacle (Macrodactyla) anemones, so a fine sand bed suits it well. It is moderately territorial, best kept as a pair, and makes a hardy, characterful display fish.

Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Max size
5.1"
Min tank
40 gal
Reef-safe
Reef safe
Diet
Omnivore
Zone
Sand bed, Mid-water, Rockwork
Keep one or a bonded pair.
Symbiosis · Hosts an anemone.
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Tankmates

How Saddleback Clownfish gets on with the rest of the reef, checked pair by pair by the same engine as the live pre-flight.

Best kept apart

A real clash — aggression, predation or a same-genus fight.

Maroon ClownfishSaddleback Clownfish and Maroon Clownfish are the same genus (Amphiprion) and will fight — keep only one.Volitans LionfishVolitans Lionfish has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Saddleback Clownfish.Snowflake MoraySnowflake Moray has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Saddleback Clownfish.Zebra MorayZebra Moray has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Saddleback Clownfish.Chainlink MorayChainlink Moray has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Saddleback Clownfish.Clown TriggerfishClown Triggerfish has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Saddleback Clownfish.Miniata GrouperMiniata Grouper has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Saddleback Clownfish.Panther GrouperPanther Grouper has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Saddleback Clownfish.Dogface PufferDogface Puffer has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Saddleback Clownfish.Spanish HogfishSpanish Hogfish has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Saddleback Clownfish.

Keep an eye on these

Usually fine, but worth watching in a smaller tank.

Kole TangSaddleback Clownfish and Kole Tang both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Sixline WrasseSaddleback Clownfish and Sixline Wrasse both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Melanurus WrasseSaddleback Clownfish and Melanurus Wrasse both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Coral HawkfishSaddleback Clownfish and Coral Hawkfish both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Springer's DottybackSaddleback Clownfish and Springer's Dottyback both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Purple DottybackSaddleback Clownfish and Purple Dottyback both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Midas BlennySaddleback Clownfish and Midas Blenny both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Yellow Clown GobySaddleback Clownfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Yellow Clown Goby and may harass it.Green Clown GobySaddleback Clownfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Green Clown Goby and may harass it.Longnose HawkfishSaddleback Clownfish and Longnose Hawkfish both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Potter's AngelfishSaddleback Clownfish and Potter's Angelfish both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Bicolor BlennySaddleback Clownfish and Bicolor Blenny both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Red Coris WrasseSaddleback Clownfish and Red Coris Wrasse both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Flame HawkfishSaddleback Clownfish and Flame Hawkfish both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Cherub AngelfishSaddleback Clownfish and Cherub Angelfish both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Multicolor AngelfishSaddleback Clownfish and Multicolor Angelfish both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Starry BlennySaddleback Clownfish and Starry Blenny both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Spotted MandarinSaddleback Clownfish and Spotted Mandarin both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Rusty AngelfishSaddleback Clownfish and Rusty Angelfish both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.Emperor AngelfishSaddleback Clownfish and Emperor Angelfish both claim the same part of the tank and may squabble.