{"product_id":"fire-clownfish-amphiprion-melanopus","title":"Fire Clownfish | Amphiprion melanopus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDeep red-orange with a smoky body, the Fire Clownfish lives up to its name and brings rich colour to a reef. Hardy and confident, with the bold streak typical of the melanopus clowns.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThey live around reef structures and anemones in warm Indo-Pacific waters, often remaining close to cover. Their natural environment is warm, oxygen-rich saltwater with stable salinity, moderate water movement and plenty of structure. In aquariums, the same principles apply: give them a secure area of rockwork, stable parameters and room to establish a small territory. A host anemone is not required, and many clownfish will instead adopt a coral, rock ledge, weir corner or powerhead area as their home.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFire Clownfish shows the classic clownfish body shape with a rounded profile, strong fins and an alert, interactive swimming style. The exact pattern depends on the species or morph, but healthy specimens should have clear eyes, intact fins, strong body weight and confident movement. Colour generally improves with quality feeding, stable water and low stress. Designer forms of Amphiprion melanopus are valued for pattern variation, while natural species forms are appreciated for authentic reef character.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is best described as Semi-aggressive. Clownfish are often peaceful with unrelated fish, but they can be defensive around their chosen territory, especially when kept as a pair. They are suitable with many reef-safe wrasse, gobies, blennies, dwarf angels with caution, tangs, peaceful damsels, chromis and cardinals. Avoid mixing multiple clownfish species or several pairs in small aquariums, as this commonly leads to fighting.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis species is an adaptable omnivore. Offer a varied diet of quality marine pellets, frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood and occasional algae-based foods. Feed small portions once or twice daily, only offering what the fish can eat quickly. For new arrivals, start with frozen foods to encourage feeding, then transition onto pellets for easy long-term nutrition. Conditioning pairs for breeding benefits from frequent small feeds and vitamin-enriched frozen foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum aquarium size of 120 L, with 200 L or larger recommended for pairs, larger species or busier community systems. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity 1.024–1.026. Moderate flow is ideal, with calmer pockets available for resting. Lighting can match the reef system and does not need to be intense for the fish itself. Use strong biological filtration, good protein skimming and regular water changes of 10–20% as required to keep nutrients stable. Rockwork should provide shelter without trapping detritus. Clownfish do not require schooling and are usually kept singly or as a pair. Add them before very aggressive tank mates where possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePairs may spawn once settled and provided with stable conditions. Courtship may include cleaning a nest site, twitching displays and more territorial behaviour. The eggs are usually orange to reddish at first and darken before hatching. Raising fry requires a dedicated larval system, rotifers, greenwater or equivalent first foods, and careful attention to water quality, so most hobbyists enjoy spawning behaviour rather than attempting full larval rearing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmphiprion melanopus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFire Clownfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWestern and central Pacific reef habitats\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–12 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6–10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner to intermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e120 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore; pellets, mysis, brine shrimp, chopped seafood and colour-enhancing marine foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.024–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMarine aquariums, reef aquariums and fish-only systems with suitable tank mates\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes, generally reef safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include peaceful to moderately assertive reef fish such as gobies, blennies, cardinalfish, fairy wrasse, flasher wrasse, chromis, peaceful damsels, tangs in larger systems and many reef-safe invertebrates. Choose tank mates that will not harass the clownfish or compete for the same small territory.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with large predatory fish, aggressive triggers, large groupers, lionfish, very aggressive damsels, established hostile clownfish pairs or multiple clownfish species in small aquariums. Avoid delicate newly added fish if the clownfish pair is already established and territorial.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55351893459235,"sku":null,"price":65.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55226938786083,"sku":"AA2977","price":75.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55351893492003,"sku":null,"price":85.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Fire_Clownfish_Amphiprion_melanopus_36ca4c9c-9836-4dfc-ad8e-33b3d0c309b4.jpg?v=1781681299","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/fire-clownfish-amphiprion-melanopus","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}