Whitesnout anemonefish (Amphiprion mccullochi)

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 mccullochi · Authority: Whitley, 1929 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 278397.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=278397 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Amphiprion mccullochi. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 12 cm · Depth range: 2–45 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: short and / or deep · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: commercial.

FishBase notes: Adults inhabit the lagoon and rocky reefs (Ref. 7247). 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). Associated with the anemone Entacmaea quadricolor (Ref. 5911).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 9208) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Amphiprion-mccullochi.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

611 georeferenced occurrence records for Amphiprion mccullochi are published through GBIF from 1 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 5 distinct locations from a sample of 611 records; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: Australia (611).

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 5212109) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=5212109&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=278397 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Amphiprion mccullochi Whitley, 1929 as Vulnerable (code VU). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.

Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 188498) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/188498/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 5212109) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/5212109/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

A. mccullochi is dark brown with a pale snout, a white bar on each side of the head (but not connected on top of the head) and a pale tail. Juveniles have two white bars and the edge of the pectoral fins is yellow. They have 10 dorsal spines, 2 anal spines, 15-17 dorsal soft rays and 13-14 anal soft rays. They reach a maximum length of 12 cm.

Color variations

Some anemonefish species have color variations based on geographic location, sex and host anemone. A. mccullochi does not show any of these variations.

Similar species

A. mccullochi is similar in appearance to A. melanopus which is distinguished by its reddish chest, belly and dorsal fin, with a yellowish to slightly red tail. The white bars are also connected over the top of the head. Genetic analysis suggested evolutionary connectivity among samples of A. mccullochi and A. akindynos.

Historical hybridization and introgression in the evolutionary past resulted in a complex mitochondrial DNA structure. There were two evolutionary groups with individuals of both species detected in both, thus the species lacked reciprocal monophyly. There were no shared haplotypes between species.

Distribution and habitat

A. mccullochi is endemic to the south western Pacific Ocean at Lord Howe Island, Middleton Reef, Elizabeth Reef and Norfolk Island.

Host anemones

The relationship between anemonefish and their host sea anemones is not random and instead is highly nested in structure. 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. The small geographic range, small local population and extreme habitat specialisation (it only associates with Entacmaea quadricolor) are all characteristics known to elevate the risk of extinction making A. mccullochi of particular conservation concern.

, A. mccullochi was categorised as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. it was listed as Critically Endangered under the Australian EPBC Act.

The specific name honours Whitley's colleague, the Australian ichthyologist Allan Riverstone McCulloch (1885-1925) who collected the type specimen.

This species has bred in captivity.

Source: Wikipedia: Amphiprion mccullochi — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphiprion_mccullochi (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.