Finding Nemo – Great Barrier Reef

Clown Anemonefish (Amphiprion percula) are definitely the most recognisable, thanks to Nemo. These little orange fish have three white vertical bands, bordered in black, and grow to around 11cm (4.3 inches). Strangely, these are the Anemonefish you are least likely to see when visiting Cairns’ Great Barrier Reef, we’re not sure if it’s due to their popularity with aquarium owners, or just general distribution.
Pink Anemonefish (Amphiprion perideraion) are the ones we see most frequently, often living in the most magnificent sea anemone homes. Growing up to 10cm long, Pink Anemonefish have a light pink/orange body, with a white stripe running down their back and either side of their face and white tail.

Clark’s Anemonefish (also known as the Great Barrier Reef Anemonefish) is another one we see quite a lot off Cairns. Its colouring is similar to the Clown Anemonefish, having an orange body, but with only two vertical white stripes bordered in black and a white tail. Clark’s Anemonefish (Amphiprion clarkii) grow to around 12cm long.
Black Anemonefish (Amphiprion melanopus) have a large white, vertical stripe separating their orange head from their black body. Fins are generally light orange and the white stripe appears luminous against the black body. Apparently some examples of this species can lack the white stripe altogether, although we have never seen this ourselves.
Spine-cheek Anemonefish (Premnas biaculeatus) are perhaps the most interesting to look at, with their ‘fluffy’ fins coming out of their faces, belly, back and tail. Body colour varies from dull to dark red and it’s considered one of the most aggressive of the Anemonefish species. Spine-cheek Anemonefish also have thin white vertical stripes running down their bodies.
The Great Barrier Reef is home to over 1,600 fish species and we see something new on each and every visit.