Maldivian Anemonefish

Amphiprion nigripes

The Maldivian anemonefish (Amphiprion nigripes) is a small, colorful clownfish endemic to the Maldives and Sri Lanka. Adults reach 7-11 cm in length and display a vibrant orange body with a single white vertical bar behind the eye and distinctive black pelvic and anal fins, which give it the species name 'nigripes' (black feet). They live exclusively with the magnificent sea anemone (Heteractis magnifica) and are found on coral reefs at depths of 2-25 meters. Like other clownfish, they are protandrous hermaphrodites living in social groups with a dominant female. They feed on zooplankton and algae and rarely venture far from their host anemone. Their restricted range makes them a special sighting for divers visiting the Maldives, where they are one of the most commonly encountered and photographed reef fish. Their bold orange color contrasting with the purple or brown anemone creates a striking visual combination.