Amphiprion pacificus, a new species of clownfish discovered
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Underwater photos of Amphiprion pacificus, adult, approximately 60 mm SL, Fiji. Photo by J. Jensen
Amphiprion pacificus is a new species of anemonefish discovered by Gerald R. Allen, Joshua Drew and Douglas Fenner described in the latest issue of the Aqua, the International Journal of Ichthyology. The researchers discovered A. pacificus in the Wallis Island and Tonga in the western Pacific with other underwater photographs revealing its presence on coral reefs of Fiji and Samoa.
The team notes the new taxon is nearly identical in appearance to A. akallopisos from the Indian Ocean. The two share common characteristics — typically pinkish-brown and grading to orange or yellow on the lower portion of the head and side, with a similar white stripe extending from the head along the dorsal midline ending at the caudal fin. Genetic testing does reveal show A. pacificus is more closely related to A. sandaracinos (Orange Skunk Clownfish) hailing from the Western Australia and Indo-Malayan region. The physical differences between the common orange skunk differs from A. pacificus with its more uniform orange coloration and the white forehead stripe extends onto the upper lip. The team also noticed what appears to be differences in the number of soft dorsal and anal rays on each species.
This is an exciting find and just like the lightning maroon clownfish from Papua New Guinea, we are hoping enough species can be found in the wild to be able to harvest these unique fish to see if they can be successfully bred in captivity. If you’re interesting in reading the entire paper, you can purchase it online in PDF format from Aqua.
Many folks have long suspected that fiji skunk clownfish looked different from the typical orange and pink skunk clownfish. Now we have proof!
July 26th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
I wanted to ask the scientist how they determine this is actually a new species as suppose to be a hybrid between akallopisos and sandaracinos as clownfish species inter-bred so commonly with the same complex. How many of these Amphiprion pacificus were actually tested to gain such a result?
July 26th, 2010 at 3:20 pm
@Jake Adams Yes, the Fiji Skunk clownfish looked different but I think it was an Orange colour version of the “pink skunk” (normally with a head bar).
July 26th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
handsome fish.
July 26th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Can they harvest the anemone in the picture too? Its nice looking!
July 26th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Seems like this may be another instance where the Neo-Darwinian concept of speciation is stretched close to its breaking point. Where’s J.E.N. Veron when you need him?
July 26th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
I’d be interested in hearing more about this fish.
July 26th, 2010 at 9:14 pm
I would like to know more also. Cool looking fish
July 26th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
This fish has been coming into the trade for years, it was assumed to be akallopisos but many folks questioned how akallopisos is found in Indonesia and this clown is found thousands of miles away in Tonga with none inbetween. Many breeders have this fish but know them as akallopisos. From looking at what Sustainable Aquatics produces I think that they have this fish and are selling them as their “Orange Skunk Clown”. The C-Quest fish that I have seen are Akallopisos in my opinion.
The orange phase skunk clown from Fiji is Perideraion with the cheek stripe that is missing in both Akallopisos and the new Pacificus.
July 27th, 2010 at 11:36 am
Thanks Dave, I was going to say something similar in regards to them having been coming in for years.
July 27th, 2010 at 2:11 pm