AMPHIPRION POLYMNUS (LINNAEUS, 175

Saddleback Anemonefish

Original description: As Perca polymnus, from specimens collected in the Indies (i.e. East Indies, now Indonesia)

Colour features and size: Dark brown with broad white bar just behind eye; on middle of back an abbreviated white saddle or on middle of the side a partial to complete white bar that slants slightly backwards, extending onto middle and rear parts of dorsal fin; caudal fin mainly dark brown with broad whitish margins, the dark part tapering in width posteriorly; breast and belly either yellow orange or dark brown. Maximum length about 120 mm.

Similar species: Amphiprion sebae (Indian Ocean) has a yellow tail.

Host anemone species: Heteractis crispa; Stichodactyla haddoni

Melanistic variation: Fish associated with Heteractis crispa are usually entirely dark except for the white bars and caudal fin margin and tannish snout.

Distribution: Indo-Malayan Archipelago northwards to the Ryukyu Islands; also reported from the Northern Territory, Australia.