iBluewater
Identifying The True Madagascar Anemonefish
(Top Photo: True Madagascar
[A. Latifasciatus])
In October 2009, two pairs of A. Latifasciatus were sent to Japan as a goodwill gift from Madagascar. Many Clownfish enthusiasts hoped that the Madagascar Anemonefish (A.Latifasciatus) would be made available state side soon after.
A. Latifasciatus has finally arrived state side. A bonded pair, and a young adult Madagascars were sold by an online fish store two week ago. Sources reveal that another large adult is going up for sale soon, after quarantine.
The Madagascar Anemonefish (A. Latifasciatus) is a rare Clownfish, not seen in the aquarium trade until this recent sale. The "True Madagascar" Anemonefish (A.Latifasciatus) can only be found on two tiny spots by the Island of Madagascar. I had the honor of visiting these two sites on several occasions to document and collect specimens for my private collection.
The A. Allardi Clownfish is more common in the waters around Madagascar and sometimes mistaken for Latifasciatus. To most Clownfish enthusiast, mistaking A. Allardi for A Latifasciatus seem unlikely, yet you may have already read about some of these misidentification on the internet. The Allardis found around the waters of Madagascar and the Comoro Islands can be quite easily mistaken for Madagascars by most (see photo).
(Photo below: Latifasciatus)
For this reason Clownfish field and identification experts have labeled A.Latifasciatus "The True Madagascar Anemonefish".
While there may be considerable variations within the species there are four definitive markers of Latifasciatus.
These are 4 definitive markers of Latifasciatus:
1) A wide middle band of 10 to 15 scales(usually closer to 15 scales) and usually running almost straight from top to bottom. If the band is not straight from top to bottom and narrowing occurs it would be acceptable provided this stays within the usual scale count of 10-15 scales , (see photos).
(Photo below: Latezonatus)
The width of A. Latifasciatus' middle band is second only to A. Latezonatus (see photo just above, and on left for comparison).
(Photo below: Latifasciatus with slightly forked caudal fin)
2) The caudal fin of Latifasciatus is forked with a slight emargination, ie: it is notched near the middle. This fin is never truncated.(see photo below) Older juveniles and sub adults may have caudal fins with a slight emargination without the fork.
(Photo below: Latifasciatus with emarginate caudal fin)
(Photo below: A. Bicinctus with truncated caudal fin and streamer-like/spike-like extension)
This is not to be mistaken with the "fork-like caudal fin" sometimes seen on adult A.Bicinctus, A.Clarkii and some A.Chrysopterus. These are usually truncated but with a streamer-like/spike-like extension ( see photo below of Bicinctus with truncated caudal fin and streamer-like/spike-like extention).
The caudal fin coloration is generally yellow (all shades of yellow are acceptable) to orange-brown, and generally has a semi translucent appearance, and may have a white coloration running the top edge of the caudal fin and sometimes the entire length of the fin, or a diffused patch of white at the forward top edge of the fin. (See photo on left)
White edging sometimes occurs on top back edges of the dorsal fin also (see photo on left).
(Photo below: Black Clarkii)
3) Body coloration varies from a dull pale orange/yellow base color in sub adults to brown orange and matte orange base color in adults. Overlaying the base color is often a dark brown to black color. Black coloration, when present, is seldom so over powering as to give it the appearance of a black Clarkii or Allardi.
(Photos below: showing considerable variations within the species A. Latifasciatus)
4) Scalation is large enough to be clearly visible, as opposed to a smooth rubbery look. This large scalation often give markings a “pixilated” look.
Reprinted here by the kind permission of author. Photos courtesy of Bob H., Gerry A., and Terry S.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------