Sebae Anemonefish
Sebae Anemonefish
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Bleniiformes
Family: Pomacentridae
Genus: Amphiprion
Species: A. sebae
Habitat & Distribution : Reef-associated, depths 2 - 25 m, northern Indian Ocean
Diet: Zooplankton, algae, worms, and small crustaceans
Size: Up to 16 cm
Lifespan: 10 - 15 years
Description
The Seba anemonefish is one of the largest anemonefish species They have dark brown to black body, with orange-yellowish belly, breast, and snout. Some color variation shows the lack of orange-yellowish belly, breast, and snout.
Behavior
The sebae anemonefish are the most territorial anemonefish, making them rarely seen around other anemonefish. Despite their name, they aren't commonly found associating with sebae aneomes, and are instead often found living around carpet anemones.
Reproduction
Males will court the females a week before spawning, and will prepare a nest near an anemone for habitation. The females will lay around 300 - 600 eggs, which will be guarded and aerated by the male, and will hatch within 6 - 8 days of fertilization.
Communication & Perception
Like other clownfish species, they communicate primarily through a combination of acoustic sounds, physical behaviors, and visual signals to maintain social hierarchies and protect their territory.
Predator
Moray eels, lionfish, snappers, groupers and other larger predatory fish.
Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN Red List; 2015)
Fun Fact
Due to its pattern, seba anemonefish is often mistaken for clark's anemonefish and vice versa. However, the second white band of seba anemonefish is sloppy and elongated to their second dorsal fin, while the second white band of clark's anemonefish stops under their dorsal fin.