Amphiprion barberi
Source-cited species reference: taxonomy from WoRMS, biology from FishBase, occurrence map from GBIF, description from Wikipedia.
Last updated
Distribution map plotted from GBIF.org occurrence records; basemap Natural Earth 110m · GBIF records CC0 / CC BY; Natural Earth public domain
Amphiprion barberi is a species of anemonefish that is found in the western Pacific Ocean. It was previously considered a geographic color variation of other anemonefish, initially Amphiprion rubrocinctus from 1972 and then Amphiprion melanopus from 1980 however further study and DNA sequencing resulted in A. barberi being described as a new species in 2008.
Like all anemonefishes it forms a symbiotic mutualism with sea anemones and is unaffected by the stinging tentacles of the host anemone. It is a sequential hermaphrodite with a strict sized based dominance hierarchy: the female is largest, the breeding male is second largest, and the male non-breeders get progressively smaller as the hierarchy descends. They exhibit protandry, meaning the breeding male will change to female if the sole breeding female dies, with the largest non-breeder becomes the breeding male.
Scientific classification
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumChordata
- ClassActinopterygii
- DivisionTeleostei
- OrderBlenniiformes
- FamilyPomacentridae
- GenusAmphiprion
- SpeciesAmphiprion barberi
Named by Allen, Drew & Kaufman, 2008
Close relatives
Other species of Amphiprion with a Codexery entry.
- Allard's clownfish (Amphiprion allardi) Amphiprion allardi
Sources: Wikipedia taxobox: Amphiprion barberi (CC BY-SA 4.0) · differs from this box at order: WoRMS AphiaID 398553 (CC BY 4.0)
How big is it?
Largest length in the source, 0.09 m, next to a 1.8 m person.
Diagram: drawn by Codexery, schematic shapes to scale (not a likeness). Length: FishBase species summary
Where the amphiprion barberi has been recorded
Each dot is a place where the species has been observed and reported (632 records, half-degree grid) — not a modelled range. 2 inland records left out (institution coordinates).
Map: drawn by Codexery. Data: GBIF occurrence search (records CC0 / CC BY) · Natural Earth basemap (public domain) · place coordinates: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Classification (WoRMS)
Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Ovalentaria incertae sedis · Family: Pomacentridae · Genus: Amphiprion.
Accepted name: Amphiprion barberi · Authority: Allen, Drew & Kaufman, 2008 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 398553.
Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=398553 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.
Biology and life history (FishBase)
Measured values published by FishBase for Amphiprion barberi. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.
Maximum length: 8.579999923706055 cm · Depth range: 2–10 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: short and / or deep · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.
FishBase notes: The species is common on coral reefs, about 2-10 m and is generally commensal with large sea anemones, either Entacmaea quadricolor (Rüppell & Leuckart, 1828) or Heteractis crispa (Ehrenberg, 1834). It is usually seen in groups that swim a short distance above their host anemones, apparently feeding on zooplankton. Reported to have been frequently encountered on local reefs in about 6-8 m depth, usually in association with Entacmaea quadricolor (Paul Brown, National Park of American Samoa, pers.comm.) (Ref. 78105).
Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate (Ref. 205). Males guard and aerate the eggs (Ref. 205).
Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 64181) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Amphiprion-barberi.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.
Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)
632 georeferenced occurrence records for Amphiprion barberi are published through GBIF from 2 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 38 distinct locations from a sample of 632 records, omitting 2 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.
Most records by country or area: Fiji (592); Tonga (40).
Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 5212075) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=5212075&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=398553 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.
Description and natural history (Wikipedia)
The body of adults are generally red-orange with a single white bar. The snout and breast are orange.
Each of the caudal, dorsal and anal fins are orange. They have 10 dorsal spines, 2 anal spines, 16-18 dorsal soft rays and 14 anal soft rays. They reach a maximum length of 8.5 cm.
Color variations
Some anemonefish species have color variations based on geographic location, sex and host anemone. A. barberi does not show any of these variations.
Similar species
Amphiprion rubrocinctus and A. melanopus are geographically distinct. A. rubrocinctus has a distribution restricted to north western Australia while A melanopus is widely distributed in the western Pacific, from the Great Barrier Reef north to the Marshall Islands and Guam, New Guinea and from Vanuatu and New Caledonia to eastern Indonesia. There are significant color-pattern differences, with A. melanopus having a dark brown or blackish body, compared to the red orange of A. barberi. A. melanopus also has 19-26 spines in the upper-opercular series while A. barberi has only 11-19.
Distribution and habitat
Amphiprion barberi is reliably only known in the Western Pacific in Fiji, Tonga, and the Samoan Islands, a regional hotspot of endemism.
Host anemones
The relationship between anemonefish and their host sea anemones is not random and instead is highly nested in structure. A. barberi is specialised, being hosted by only 2 out of the 6 host anemones found in the region. A.
Anemonefish and their host anemones are found on coral reefs and face similar environmental issues. Like corals, anemone's contain intracellular endosymbionts, zooxanthellae, and can suffer from bleaching due to triggers such as increased water temperature or acidification.
Characteristics known to elevate the risk of extinction are small geographic range, small local population and extreme habitat specialisation. While A. barberi has a small geographic range, it is said to be common in Fiji and frequently encountered in Samoa and its ability to use two different anemone hosts may reduce the risk of extinction associated with extreme specialisation. This species was not evaluated in the 2012 release of the IUCN Red List.
The specific name honours Paul Barber of Boston University in recognition of his contributions to the study of genetic relationships of the organisms of Indo-Pacific coral reefs.
Source: Wikipedia: Amphiprion barberi — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphiprion_barberi (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Amphiprion barberi (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Classification: the source article's taxobox; compare WoRMS, the World Register of Marine Species (CC BY 4.0).
- Occurrence records: GBIF (CC0 / CC BY). Basemap: Natural Earth (public domain).
- Biology values: FishBase species summary (CC BY-NC 3.0, non-commercial).
- Word definitions: the , each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced