In the Marshalls, Amphiprion perideraion lives almost exclusively in Heteractis magnifica, although we have rarely seen single small individuals in Heteractis crispa or Stychodactyla mertensii. These clowns can be found throughout the atoll, but are more common on lagoon reefs and some pinnacles. They are very photogenic, and we had a difficult time deciding which pictures to use. Often they are even more visually striking when the anemones bleach out, which can happen from elevated water temperatures.
This one is sharing its anemone with at least a couple of shrimp, Ancylomenes tosaensis.
Anemones colored like those above will change to something like that below when they suffer bleaching from elevated water temperature.
These fish deposit their eggs on the rock adjacent to the anemone and usually under its margin. In the photos below, the eggs are orange with little light spots.
Created 1 September 2010
Updated 27 March 2011