Scientific Name:
Premnas biaculeatus

Maximum Size:
6” (15 cm)

Description

The strikingly beautiful White Stripe Maroon Clownfish is the largest species of clownfish and can reach a size of 6” as an adult. It has a maroon body color with three narrow white body stripes. There is another strain of maroon clownfish called Gold Stripe Maroon Clownfish. This variation looks similar to the White Stripe Maroon Clownfish, except it has three wide yellow stripes. Maroon Clownfish belong to the genus Premnas and is therefore different than all the other clownfish species, which belongs to the genus Amphiprion. Premnas is latin for “spiny cheek” and if you look closely you will see the spines protruding from each side of the head underneath the eyes. In adult fish, the larger female often turns a darker red color, while the smaller male retains its orange coloration. Females are much larger than males – typically 3-4 times larger. Maroon clownfish become very territorial as adults and it is best to not mix them with any other clown species.

Distribution

Maroon Clownfish have a wide distribution in the Western Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. It can be found west to Sumatra, east to Vanuatu, north to the Philippine Sea and south to New Caledonia.

Temperament & Captive Care

The Maroon Clownfish is the largest known clownfish species and has developed a reputation for their bold behavior. The females can grow to 6” and can be very territorial, especially when defending a nest of eggs. It is best to not mix maroon clownfish with any other clownfish species in your tank and to only keep a mated pair or a single fish. Captive bred Maroon Clownfish are generally less aggressive compared to wild collected fish.

Feeding

Maroon Clownfish have a healthy appetite. Most clownfish are omnivorous feeders, meaning that they will consume a variety of different food types. In nature the diet of clownfish consists of crustaceans (such as copepods and amphipods), algae, polychaete worms and leftovers from the anemone’s meal. Our captive bred fish are conditioned to eat a variety of aquarium diets including pellets, flake food, frozen Mysis shrimp, and frozen brine shrimp.

Natural Host Anemones

In the wild, Maroon Clownfish are very selective and is almost always only found hosting in the Bubble Tip Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor).

Aquarium Host Anemones

Clownfish do not require host anemones to survive or thrive. However, in most cases they will readily accept them. For Maroon clownfish we recommend the popular and hardy Bubble Tip Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor).