Preliminary study on host selection by captive bred false-clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris, Cuvier, 1830)

Abstract

Amphiprion sp represent the largest complex of anemonefish with approximately 28 species distributing all over the Indo-West Pacific region. Amphiprion species is one of the most popular marine ornamental fish among the aquarists. The high demand in the market resulted rapid declination of Amphiprion in natural habitat. This study was carried to investigate the association of clownfish and its sea anemone species at Pulau Bidong; to study the host preference by captive bred A. ocel/aris and determine the time taken for the fish to select a host in captivity in different distances. There were three species of Amphiprion and sea anemones found in Pulau Bidong's water. The observations supported the results of the existing studies on Amphiprion and the symbiont anemone species. Captive bred A. ocellaris did not select all substrates as a host (P< 0.05) and they have to ability to symbiont with E. quadricolor which is not the natural host. The time taken for the captive bred A. ocel/aris to reach its host in different distance were not significantly different (P>0.05). This shows that the fish has the ability to recognize the host when relocated to a certain distance. However, the finding is still preliminary and captive bred fish ability to survive in natural environment which differ from the enclosed system still required further investigation.