Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178 – 6288) . Number 150, June 2017, pp. 1-29. | Page 11
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The Sebae Clownfish (Amphiprion sebae Bleeker, 1853) at a depth of approximately 12
meter near the Shark Island in the Sea of Khor Fakkan, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea,
Indian Ocean. Photo by the diver Ola Mostafa Khalaf. 21.08.2015.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/50022881@N00/20539823074/
This is one of the most often misidentified clownfish. It is often incorrectly
labeled as a Clarkii Clownfish Amphiprion clarkii because they have a similar
color pattern. However the Sebae has an elongated, more slender body. Its color
can be distinguished by its second white band tipping towards the back on top
and extending onto the dorsal fin, and also by its yellow anal fin. True Sebae
Clownfish are not as easy to come by, nor are they as durable as a Clark‟s
Clownfish, and they are much more skittish (Animal World).
The Sebae Clownfish belongs to a small group of anemonefish known as the
"Saddleback Complex". It is the largest member of this group, reaching 5.5 inch
(14 cm). They typically have a black to dark brown body with two broad white
bars, and a yellow-orange coloring on the face, bottom fins, and tail fin. There is
also a melanistic form that is all black except for the white bars, it only has
orange in the tail fin, and it has a gray nose. There are also designer variations
that have been developed in captivity. It is also known as the Brown Clownfish,
Yellowtail Clownfish, Sebae Anemonefish, and Seba's Anemonefish. Designer
specimens are called Picasso Sebae Clownfish, Platinum Sebae Clownfish and
White Tip Clownfish to describe the coloring of the fish (Animal World).
Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 150 – June 2017