Teak Clown

Species Profile

• Scientific Name: Amphiprion melanopus
• Common Name: Teak Clown / Cinnamon Clownfish
• Adult Size: Up to 5 inches (12–13 cm)
• Life Expectancy: Up to 12 years in captivity with proper care
• Habitat:
  • Found in the Western Pacific Ocean, including Great Barrier Reef, New Guinea, and northern Australia
  • Commonly associated with anemones in shallow lagoons and coral reefs

  • Lives among the tentacles of host sea anemones like Entacmaea quadricolor (Bubble Tip Anemone)

Tank Requirements

• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons for a single or pair
  Larger if keeping with other fish or anemones
• Ideal Temperature: 74–79°F (23–26°C)
• pH Range: 8.1–8.4
• Water Hardness: 8–12 dKH
• Temperament:
  • Semi-aggressive, especially when paired or hosting an anemone
  • Can be territorial, especially toward other clownfish species

  • Generally good in reef tanks, but may bully smaller or passive tank mates

Diet & Nutrition

• Omnivorous
• Diet should include:
  • High-quality marine pellets or flakes
  • Frozen or live foods (brine shrimp, mysis shrimp)
  • Occasional vegetable matter (spirulina or seaweed)

• Feed 2–3 times daily

Breeding & Spawning

• Relatively easy to breed in captivity
• Pairs form monogamous bonds
• Spawning occurs on flat surfaces near or under host anemone
• Male tends the eggs until they hatch in ~6–10 days

• Larvae require special care and rotifers after hatching

Appearance

• Rich reddish-orange to deep cinnamon body
• Single white headband (often bluish-white) just behind the eyes
• Fins, especially dorsal and tail, are often dark or black

• Juveniles may be brighter in color than adults

Distinctive Features

• Robust, stocky clownfish with bold coloration
• White head stripe is the only stripe present
• Known for aggression when hosting anemones

• Often confused with Amphiprion frenatus, but melanopus usually has darker fins