Skunk Anemonefish

Amphiprion akallopisos

The skunk anemonefish (Amphiprion akallopisos) is a small clownfish found in the western Indian Ocean. Adults reach 8-11 cm and display a uniform peach to pinkish-orange body with a single narrow white stripe running along the dorsal midline from the upper lip to the tail, resembling a skunk's stripe. They lack the vertical head bars typical of many other clownfish species, giving them a clean, elegant appearance. They live in symbiosis with host anemones, primarily Heteractis magnifica and Stichodactyla mertensii, at depths of 3-25 meters on coral reefs. Like other clownfish, they are protandrous hermaphrodites with a dominant female leading each group. They feed on zooplankton and algae near their host anemone. Their gentle demeanor and subtle beauty make them a favorite subject for macro photographers visiting Indian Ocean dive destinations. They are commonly encountered in the Maldives, Seychelles, and along the East African coast.