The Clownfishes, or Anenomefishes, are a subgroup of the
Pomacentridae, which also include the
Damselfishes[?]. Clownfish are marked by their behavior of living in a
comensual relationship with
sea anemones[?]. Clownfish are native to wide ranges of the warm waters of the
Pacific; some species ranges overlap others. Clownfishes are not found in the
Atlantic. Some Clownfishes will adopt Atlantic anenome species in captivity. However, clownfish in an
aquarium environment can exist very well without an anenome. (This may be advisable as anenomes are extremely difficult to keep alive for even experienced aquarists.)
Clownfish are among the few marine fishes that can be bred in captivity in commercially-viable quantities at the time of this writing. Hobbyists are advised to purchase captive-born clownfish (and other marine animals) whenever possible.
Species in this group include (common name followed by scientific name):
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