Clark's Anemonefish
Clark's anemonefish is a hardy, easygoing clownfish with a blackish-brown body marked by two or three white bars and a tail that shades from white to yellow. It shares its standard Japanese name, kumanomi, with wild populations found in waters around Japan. Unlike some clownfish, it isn't picky about which host anemone it partners with, so it does well whether kept alone or paired with one. Bold and curious, it settles into aquarium life easily and often comes to recognize its keeper. Thanks to its tolerance for changing conditions, it's widely considered one of the best marine fish for beginners starting the saltwater hobby.
View Clark's Anemonefish encyclopedia →0% commission on your first sales!Register by September 30, 2026 and your first 2 sales are commission-free!
Breeder Wanted!
List on BreederDirect and sell directly to customers nationwide!
BreederDirect's 6 Transparency Promises
Every Marine Fish listing shows Breeder's full disclosure. No wild-caught. Captive-bred priority, tank size guidance, temperament details—transparent aquaculture.
- Captive-bred
- WYSIWYG
- Reef-safe
- Care Info Included
- Origin Disclosed
- Temperament Listed
Browse all 175 breeds
Care Difficulty
Reef-safe
Temperament
No listings match your filters
Adjust your filters, or get notified when new listings arrive.
Getting alerts is free with a member account. When new listings match your saved search, we'll notify you by email and in-app.
Browse other categories
Verified breeders (preview)
Are you raising marine fish?
Register as a breeder and connect with buyers directly.
Apply as a breederAbout Clark's Anemonefish
Clark's anemonefish is a hardy clownfish with 2-3 white bars, not picky about host anemones, and a great choice for beginners. Learn about its traits, temperament, and what to know before bringing one home.
7 things to know before welcoming a Clark's Anemonefish
1Color Pattern & ID
Clark's anemonefish has a blackish-brown body with two or three white vertical bars, and its tail fin shades from white to yellow. Since patterns vary a bit between individuals, it's worth checking photos closely before you buy.
2Tank Size Guidelines
Adults can grow to about 15 cm in length, so even for a single fish, a 60 cm (or larger) standard tank gives it room to grow comfortably. It's also fairly adaptable to changing conditions, making it manageable for beginners as long as you avoid sudden swings in water quality.
3Does It Need an Anemone?
This species is known for being unfussy about its host anemone, so it can settle happily among live rock crevices or other hiding spots even without one. If you do want to pair it with an anemone, choosing a larger, hardy species tends to make for a more stable partnership.
4Temperament & Tankmates
Clark's anemonefish is relatively mild-mannered for a clownfish, but it can still be territorial and may act aggressively toward the same species or similarly shaped fish added later. Give it plenty of room and multiple hiding spots to help it settle in with tankmates.
5Feeding
It's a hardy eater that readily accepts a wide range of foods, from pellets and flakes to frozen foods, which is part of what makes it easy to keep. Feed once or twice a day, offering only what it can finish within a few minutes to avoid leftover food fouling the water.
6Growth & Lifespan
Adults reach a maximum length of around 15 cm, and in captivity some individuals live for a decade or more, with the longest reported lifespan reaching 11 years. Since this is a long-term companion, it's worth planning your tank size and care routine with its adult size and lifespan in mind.
7A Fish That Changes Sex
Clownfish, including Clark's anemonefish, aren't born a fixed sex — the largest individual in a group changes into a female as it matures. Keeping a few together lets you observe this natural process unfold as they grow.
Frequently asked questions about Clark's Anemonefish
- Q.Is Clark's anemonefish suitable for beginners?
- A.Yes, it's a hardy species that tolerates changing conditions well, making it one of the more beginner-friendly marine fish. Since it isn't picky about host anemones, it's also easy to start with as a single fish.
- Q.Does it absolutely need an anemone to live with?
- A.No, it doesn't. This species isn't picky about its host anemone, so it can live comfortably without one, using live rock crevices or other hiding spots instead.
- Q.Can it be kept with other fish?
- A.Clark's anemonefish is relatively calm for a clownfish, but it can be territorial, so compatibility needs some care. It may act aggressively toward the same species or similarly shaped fish added afterward, so providing extra hiding spots helps keep things peaceful.
- Q.How big does it get, and how long does it live?
- A.Adults grow to a maximum of about 15 cm in length, and some individuals are known to live quite long in captivity, with the longest reported lifespan being 11 years. It's worth planning your tank size with its adult size and long lifespan in mind.
- Q.Is Clark's anemonefish subject to CITES?
- A.No, Clark's anemonefish is not subject to CITES. There's no need for any special concern regarding CITES with this species.
Useful tools for Clark's Anemonefish care
Learn more about Clark's Anemonefish in the encyclopedia
View Clark's Anemonefish encyclopedia entry →
Care difficulty, lifespan, size and diet — all basics covered.
More in this category
Can't find the one you're looking for?
Post your wishes for free and breeders with matching animals will contact you with introductions.

