The Tomato Clownfish (Amphiprion frenatus), also known as the Blackback Anemonefish or Fire Clown, is a species of marine fish in the family Pomacentridae. It is native to the waters of the Western Pacific from Japan to Indonesia.

Distribution and Habitat

The Tomato Clownfish is found from the Ryukyu Islands of Japan to the South China Sea and surrounding areas including Malaysia and Indonesia. It is associated with the bubble-tip anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) and possibly the sebae anemone (Heteractis crispa).

Physical Description

The Tomato Clownfish reaches a maximum length of 14 cm (5.5 in). The adult fish is bright orange-red with a white head bar or vertical stripe just behind the eyes, joined over the head with a distinctive black outline. Females are mainly blackish on the sides. Males are considerably smaller and are red overall. Juveniles are a darker red with two or three white bars.

Diet and Feeding

The Tomato Clownfish is omnivorous, feeding on zooplankton, small benthic crustaceans, and algae. In captivity it accepts a varied diet including dried algae, mysis shrimp, and brine shrimp.

Behavior and Reproduction

This species is semi-aggressive and territorial when mature. It can be aggressive towards clownfishes of other species. It is a sequential hermaphrodite with a strict size-based dominance hierarchy. The Tomato Clownfish has a strong and long-lived immunity to Marine Velvet disease.

Aquarium Care

It requires a tank of at least 20 gallons. It is considered reef-safe. This species thrives well even without a host anemone. In the absence of a host it may adopt corals of a tank to reside. It is best kept singly or in mated pairs. It can be bred in captivity.

Conservation Status

Classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.