Not furry, but we like them anyway.
Maroon Clownfish
Amphiprion biaculeatus
Also called Spinecheek anemonefish, Spine-cheeked anemonefish, Spine-cheek clownfish, Premnas biaculeatus (former scientific name), Gold Stripe Maroon (yellow-barred form)
From Indo-West Pacific, from India and western Indonesia through Southeast Asia to the Philippines, Taiwan, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and northern Queensland12
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Personality what they are like
A confident, strongly territorial fish, often called the feistiest of the clownfish. It guards its home spot firmly and generally does not share space with other clownfish, apart from its own mate. The gold stripe form is reported to be slightly calmer.234
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Sticks close to its bubble-tip anemone or chosen home and patrols the area around it.21
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
A fully marine fish rated easy to care for. Suggested aquarium water: about 22 to 26 °C (72 to 78 °F), carbonate hardness 8 to 12 dKH and specific gravity 1.020 to 1.025. Net it gently, as the cheek spines can catch in the mesh.3
Home where they are happiest
A saltwater aquarium of at least about 114 L (30 US gallons). In the wild it lives in sheltered coastal waters and lagoons at about 1 to 16 m, partnered only with the bubble-tip anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor), which also suits it in captivity.312
Food basics what goes in the bowl
An omnivore. Wild fish eat zooplankton and algae; in aquariums it takes meaty frozen foods such as shrimp along with algae-based foods.123
Company who they like around
Normally found as a single mated pair, with a large female and a much smaller male. Keep one fish or one established pair per tank.214
The story where it all began
Bloch described this fish in 1790, and for a long time it sat alone in its own genus, Premnas, because of its cheek spines. Genetic work showed it is closely related to the ocellaris and percula clownfish, and in 2021 it was moved into Amphiprion. It has been bred successfully in captivity, including selected forms such as the gold stripe and lightning maroons.21
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It is the only clownfish with yellow or gold bars, found in fish from Sumatra and the Andaman Islands.2
- 2
Gold stripe juveniles start with white stripes that turn gold at around 9 to 12 months, beginning with the head stripe.4
- 3
A spawn usually holds around 1,500 eggs, and record spawns have topped 6,000.4
- 4
Crossing a maroon with an ocellaris clownfish produced the 'blood orange' hybrid clownfish.2
- 5
In a pair, the female can be more than twice the length of the male.2
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern (assessed 2021)1
- Marcus Elieser Bloch
- Species described by Bloch in 1790; moved from genus Premnas into Amphiprion in 20212
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Maroon Clownfish. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Salinity checkevery week
- Top-upTop up evaporation with fresh RO water, not salt waterevery day
- Water testevery week
- Water changeAbout 10 to 20% of the waterevery 2 weeks
- Glass cleanevery week
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Maroon Clownfish?
Furry Diary's starting plan is to feed small amounts once or twice a day. This matches their omnivorous nature, so offer a varied diet of meaty and algae-based foods. Adjust based on your fish's appetite and always remove uneaten food to keep water clean.123 Furry Diary plan
What does a Maroon Clownfish eat, and what should it never eat?
Your Maroon Clownfish is an omnivore and enjoys meaty frozen foods like shrimp along with algae-based foods. Avoid feeding anything not meant for marine fish, such as freshwater fish flakes or human food. For specific restrictions, ask your vet or a good breeder.123
How much space does a Maroon Clownfish need?
A single Maroon Clownfish or a mated pair needs a saltwater aquarium of at least 114 liters (30 US gallons). They like to have a bubble-tip anemone as their home, so provide enough room for that too.312
What temperature, light or water does a Maroon Clownfish need?
Keep the water temperature between 22 and 26 °C (72 to 78 °F), with a specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025 and carbonate hardness of 8 to 12 dKH. Standard marine aquarium lighting is fine, and they appreciate a bubble-tip anemone if you can provide one.3
How often should I clean a Maroon Clownfish's home?
Furry Diary's plan suggests a weekly glass cleaning and a 10 to 20% water change every two weeks. Test the water weekly and top up evaporation daily with fresh RO water, not salt water. Regular maintenance keeps your fish healthy. Furry Diary plan
Can a Maroon Clownfish live with others?
Maroon Clownfish are strongly territorial and best kept alone or as one established mated pair per tank. They do not share space with other clownfish. Tank mates should be chosen carefully, and a good breeder can advise on compatible species.214
How long does a Maroon Clownfish live?
Lifespan varies depending on care and environment. For a reliable estimate, ask your vet or a good breeder who knows the specific lineage and conditions.
Can I handle a Maroon Clownfish?
It is best to avoid handling your Maroon Clownfish as they have cheek spines that can catch in a net and they are territorial. If you must move them, use a gentle net and handle with care. They are not a fish to be touched.3
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
You might also like
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Cinnamon Clownfish
Ocellaris Clownfish
Percula ClownfishLike what we are building? Buy Archy a bone.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- FishBase: Amphiprion (Premnas) biaculeatus, Spinecheek anemonefish fishbase.seused for range, max size, depth, host anemone, diet, IUCN status
- Wikipedia: Maroon clownfish en.wikipedia.orgused for names, taxonomy, colours, size by sex, temperament, habitat, diet, history, fun facts
- LiveAquaria: Maroon Clownfish quick stats liveaquaria.comused for care level, tank size, water parameters, diet, netting tip
- ORA: Gold Stripe Maroon Clownfish orafarm.comused for gold stripe form, temperament, spawning, long-lived pairs
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.