Aquarium Fish: An Overview of Clownfish of the Clarkii Complex
As anyone with any familiarity of the marine aquarium hobby
would know, clownfish (Subfamily Amphiprioninae) are a staple of
the ornamental fish trade. The popularity of these fishes has
persisted through the years even while the availability of other
marine fish species steadily increased. Indeed, with the
relatively recent surge of interest in home breeding, clownfish
are in as great a demand as ever. Such is the case with the
ubiquitous species (Amphiprion percula, Amphiprion frenatus,
Premnas biaculeatus, etc.), as well as a few precious rarities.
As yet more clownfish species become accessible in the trade, an
understanding of the phylogenic and ecological relatedness
within the subfamily can serve to establish a useful context for
both natural history and aquarium husbandry. The 28 recognized
species of clownfish are divided into six basic assemblages, or
complexes. These include the Maroons, the Percula Complex, the
Saddleback Complex, the