The Blue-Striped New Caledonia Melanopus Clownfish is a distinctive regional form of the Cinnamon Clownfish, scientifically known as Amphiprion melanopus. This New Caledonia form is especially attractive, combining a dark brown to black body with warm orange to yellow fins and a striking bluish-white head stripe.
ORA specifically identifies its New Caledonia Cinnamon Clownfish as originating from New Caledonia and notes that adults develop a blue head stripe, along with yellow or orange dorsal, ventral, and caudal fins. This gives the regional form a noticeably different appearance from many other A. melanopus populations, which are often dominated by red and black coloration.
Amphiprion melanopus is naturally distributed across portions of the Pacific, including eastern Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, eastern Queensland, the Coral Sea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Palau, and Micronesia. Adults inhabit lagoon and outer reef environments at approximately 1–18 meters depth. The species reaches a documented maximum total length of 12 cm, approximately 4.7 inches.
This listing is for a captive-bred/tank-raised pair maintained at Pacific East Aquaculture in dedicated systems separate from our wild-collected fish. Our captive-bred and tank-raised saltwater fish are carefully observed and maintained under professional husbandry protocols prior to sale, without the routine conditioning and proactive treatment protocols used for wild-collected specimens.
As with other members of the Tomato/Cinnamon Clownfish group, A. melanopus is hardy but can become assertive and territorial as it matures, particularly when maintained as a bonded pair or when defending a host anemone.
Care Guide
Scientific Name: Amphiprion melanopus Bleeker, 1852
Common Names: Blue-Striped New Caledonia Melanopus Clownfish, Cinnamon Clownfish, Fire Clownfish, Black Anemonefish
Regional Form: New Caledonia
Family: Pomacentridae
Availability: Captive Bred / Tank Raised Pair
Care Level: Easy to Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive; established pairs can be territorial
Reef Compatibility: Reef compatible
Minimum Aquarium Size: 30 gallons minimum; larger preferred for an established adult pair
Maximum Size: Approximately 4.7 inches (12 cm total length)
Diet: Omnivore; naturally consumes planktonic copepods and algae
Temperature: Approximately 75–82°F
Specific Gravity: 1.023–1.026
pH: 8.1–8.4
Aquarium Requirements:
Provide a stable, established aquarium with adequate swimming room and rockwork for shelter. As an adult pair matures, it may establish and vigorously defend a preferred portion of the aquarium.
Temperament:
The Blue-Striped New Caledonia Melanopus Clownfish is similar behaviorally to other Cinnamon and Tomato-type clownfish. It may become increasingly territorial with maturity, especially when paired or associated with a host anemone. ORA specifically notes the aggressiveness commonly seen in larger clownfish species as adults.
Reef Compatibility:
Reef compatible. Amphiprion melanopus is not a coral predator and is generally suitable for reef aquariums.
Diet and Feeding:
Offer a varied omnivorous diet including high-quality marine pellets and flakes, mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, and other appropriately sized frozen or prepared foods. Wild A. melanopus feed primarily on planktonic copepods and algae.
Host Anemones:
In nature, Amphiprion melanopus is most commonly associated with the Bubble Tip Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) and is occasionally found with Heteractis crispa and more rarely Heteractis magnifica. A host anemone is not required for captive-bred specimens to thrive.
