Orange Skunk Clownfish

The orange skunk clownfish (Amphiprion sandaracinos) lives across the Coral Triangle from the Philippines through Indonesia and New Guinea to northwestern Australia, Christmas Island, Melanesia, and Japan's Ryukyu Islands, usually in small groups on outer reef slopes or in lagoons no deeper than 20 meters. Females reach up to 11 centimeters while males are smaller at 3 to 6.5 centimeters, and the fish is bright orange overall with a broad white stripe running from the upper lip between the eyes to the base of the tail, plus a bright yellow iris. It exhibits the sequential hermaphroditism typical of anemonefish, with the largest female breeding, the largest male beneath her breeding second, and smaller males ranked below in strict size order. The species is rated Least Concern by the IUCN, with localized pressure from aquarium collection and coral bleaching.