Amphiprion snyderi or just melanistic A. chrysargyrus

ThRoewer

New member
I saw these black "clarkii" anemonefish at an LFS today and wonder if they could be Amphiprion snyderi or if they are just melanistic A. chrysargyrus.
The shipment came from the Philippines which would be well within the distribution range of A. chrysargyrus. But the more orange "clarkii" from that shipment that are clearly A. chrysargyrus look quite a bit different. The quite large ventral fins would also fit with A. snyderi:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r3n5XnsJW6Y" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Here a reference video showing an adult and two juveniles of A. snyderi at Ogasawara Islands, Japan:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9bMBHkcO2qw" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The larger of the juveniles looks just like the ones at the store here.
Given that other fish previously thought to be "strictly Japanese" have been found at the northernmost end of the Philippines, it isn't totally impossible that A. snyderi's range is larger than previously thought.
I guess I need to make some more space for another pair of Anemonefish :lol2:
 
I have been enjoying your fish and videos quite a bit - so yes, make more room.

and you have a great fish store. that was awesome. thanks for sharing that.
 
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