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| PINK SKUNK ANEMONEFISH
(Amphprion periderion)
Alternate Common Names:
skunk clownfish, pink anemonefish
Family Name:
POMACENTRIDAE
Size:
This species attains a maximum length of 10 cm (3.9 inches). Studies in the field documented that the
mean growth rate of this species was 0.3 to 2.9 mm. The dominant adult pair grow more rapidly, while the
growth of the subordinates is “stunted.”
Distribution:
Cocos Keeling and Christmas Islands and southeast Thailand in the eastern Indian Ocean, east to
Samoa, north to southern Japan and south to the Great Barrier Reef.
Habitat:
The pink skunk is found over a depth range of 3 to 30 (10 to 98 feet), in lagoons, reef faces and on fore
reef slopes. It typically occurs below the influences of surge. Although it occurs with a handful of
anemone species (including Heteractis crispa, Macrodactyla doreensis and Stichodactyla gigantea), it
seems to “prefers” the magnificent anemone (Heteractis magnifica,/i>). Individuals rarely migrate from
one sea anemone to another.
Reproduction:
The pink skunk anemonefish spawn on a rock or rubble near the base of their anemone. The pair will
engage in side-by-side swimming and belly touching prior to spawning. The female presses her abdomen
against the nesting site and moves over the area depositing her eggs. The male will swim behind her a
fertilize the eggs. He may also revisit the nest when the female is absent and fertilize them again. The
male will mouth and fan the clutch. This species lays an average egg clutch of 300, with an estimated
annual fecundity of 2000 to 4000 eggs. The males of this species can be differentiated from the females
by the presence of pink on the rear dorsal and caudal fin margins. This species will hybridize with the
similar skunk anemonefish (Amphiprion akallopisos) around the island Bali.
Feeding:
Food habit studies indicate that this fish feeds most heavily on algae, although copepods are also an
important constituent of the diet. Worms, anemonefish eggs, crustacean fragments, amphipods, tunicate
larvae, crustacean larvae, isopods, crabs, barnacle appendages and gastropods fragments are much
less important (most less than 5% of total volume of stomach contents in one study). It will also nip at the
tentacles and disc of its host, ingesting waste products and possibly zooplanktors tuck to their host.
Individuals of this, and other anemonefish species, are opportunistic and their diet’s can vary over time
and from one individual to the next. For example, a pink skunk anemonefish may feed heavily on
copepods for a while and then switch to algae. Dietary preferences are in part a function of the availability
of suitable prey items.
Behavior:
Studies have demonstrated that this fish is not innately protected from all anemones, and may be stung
by certain potential host species. A single anemone will usually contain an adult pair and a group of
subordinate individuals (e.g., groups numbering up to eight individuals have been reported from
Okinawa). Although they normally live harmoniously, the adults will occasionally behave aggressively
towards conspecifics. There is a definite “pecking order” in skunk anemone fish groups, with size
determining an individuals position in the dominance hierarchy. Larger individuals will chase smaller fish,which engage in “head shaking,” “dorsal dipping,” “headstanding,” “substrate biting” and vocalization.
These are submissive behaviors that function to reduce the chances that the subordinate fish will be
attacked. Smaller individuals (6 to 15 mm in standard length) almost never leave the shelter of the
anemone’s tentacles. At about 20 mm they are driven from the tentacles by the adult pair, and spend
more time near the edge of the sea anemones tentacles. Adults rarely stray farther than 10 to 20 cm (4 to
8 inches) away from their host. It will occasionally make quick forays of up to 50 cm (20 inches) away
from the anemone when feeding. In certain areas this species regularly co-inhabits sea anemones with
the larger, and more aggressive Clark’s anemonefish (Amphiprion clarkii). Those adult pink skunk
anemonefish sharing a host with A. clarkii rarely spawn.
Distinguishing Characteristics:
It is pink overall with white line down the back and a white head bar. This species will interbreed with the
similar skunk anemonefish (Amphiprion akallopisos).
Remarks:
References:
Allen (1972), Elliot & Mariscal (1997), Fautin & Allen (1994), Hattori (1995) | NIKON D100
60mm 1/200th F18 ISO200
SND2005
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