From ReefPedia

[edit] Amphiprion frenatus Max. Size: 5" Tank Size: 30+ Gallons Aggression: Semi-Aggressive Hardiness: Moderate to good Reef-Safe: Yes Available as captive-bred: Yes

Male Amphiprion frenatus

Physical Description

Tomato clownfish are an orange/red color which will be very vibrant in a healthy individual. Some individuals may turn darker with age. There will be one white stripe, edged in black, running vertically just behind the 'head'. Sometimes a secondary stripe can appear behind the dorsal fin, or towards the middle of the body. (Mostly seen in younger fish, and fades with age. Possibly a camouflage tactic to break up the body pattern.) The number of dorsal rays is 9-10spines, and 16-18 soft rays. The female of the species is larger then the male. Once in an established pair, the female is often darker then the male. (Personal observation- The color of individual tomato clowns seems to vary widely, ranging from a pale, rather 'blah' orange, to a rich tomato red. The richer color better represents the species, based on photos of wild specimens.

Distribution

Western Pacific: South China Sea, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Viet Nam, China, Philippines, and Taiwan; ranges northward to Ryukyu Is. and southern Japan

Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Chordata

• Subphylum: Vertebrata

• Class: Actinopterygii

• Order: Perciformes

• Suborder: Labroidei

• Family: Pomacentridae

• Genus: Amphiprion

• Species: frenatus

Behavior

The Tomato Clownfish is a typical aquarium clownfish. It is relatively hardy, can be somewhat aggressive (especially around its host anemone) and, of course, can also be quite endearing. Many books recommend adding clownfish to the aquarium towards to end of the stocking process to account for their territorial behaviors. Also recommended is to not keep clownfish of different species together unless one has a sizable tank, and a layout setup to allow for different territories. (ie:multiple rock piles, and line-of-sight broken up throughout the tank)

Once a clownfish has established a territory, it will tend to stay very close to its chosen spot, leaving mostly to grab food, to defend the spot, or if it feels threatened. This is one of the features which makes it an ideal aquarium habitant. Once a pair has bonded and they prepare to breed, their territoriality can become fierce. Due to their robust size they may cause physical damage to more delicate fish.

Activity cycle is active during the day, resting at night.

Feeding

Natural diet consists of various planktonic items, algaes and small crustaceans that come their way. In captivity, a varied diet is recommended. They should willingly take most foods. Fresh, live, or frozen is recommended as the primary food source, with flakes or pellets being used for supplementing. Small frequent feedings are recommended. In an established reef-setup they may feed opportunistically, however, should still be given outside food. Feeding Tomato clowns, as with all clowns, is rarely difficult. If they don't eat, it is a good sign of something either wrong with them or tank parameters.

Breeding

Here's a spot for someone who has actually breed Tomato clowns to have their say.

Host Anemone

The natural host anemone for the tomato clownfish is listed as the Entacmaea quadricolor, or bulb-tipped anemone (anyone want to link the sci. name to it's info page here?) While the clownfish will most likely enjoy having an anemone to host in, it is not necessary to its well-being. Before purchasing an anemone, research its care in depth. If and when you do purchase an anemone, it must be stressed that it be at least 2-3 times larger than the clown. If not the attention lavished upon the anemone by the clown may do more harm than good. Unknowingly the clown may kill the anemone.

It has been said that clownfish will 'feed' their host anemone. However, while clownfish have been observed bringing food back to the vicinity of the anemone, it is still in debate as to whether this is done for the benefit of the anemone, or the clownfish.

In the absence of an anemone to host, other corals of similar form may find themselves doing the job. Watch the coral closely if this happens to ensure that it is not being irritated by the clownfish. Most times, a healthy coral will not be bothered by the attention as long as the clownfish is not larger then the coral.

Social Structure

(I am posting the base social structure that I know for clownfish, if the tomato clown has variances, please correct the post)

After spending some time in the plankton streams, the clownfish grows large enough to take it's place in the social structure of its species. All clownfish start as males, and will approach a suitable looking anemone or location and either stake it out for their own, or attempt to join in the existing clownfish group. If they stake out their own spot, they will turn into females, and eventually allow other males into their territory. If they join an existing group, they do so as a sub-male. One who is allowed to be in the group, but does not breed with the female. Eventually, the super-male may die, and they may then take his position. Once in the super-male position, if the female dies, they most often will change to become the female. (anyone know the average group size?)

Current Views

Tomato clowns are common in the hobby and have been captive-bred. They make an excellent choice for the beginner through advanced hobbyist.

Additional Notes

Seems happy to occupy any region of the tank. Lower, middle, or upper.