ID these Skunks

[Azedenkae]

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Azure_Dragon1990/media/20131002_095017_zps3068a9fc.mp4.html

Anyone can offer their opinion in what species of Skunk Clowns these are? I think I know what they may be, but I want to hear other people's opinions first.

 

[sdunkin]

Look like orange skunks (Amphiprion sandaracinos).

 

[smtank]

Go look at IBluewater.com and compare images.

 

[Azedenkae]

@sdunkin: Thanks for the input.

@smtank: Their pics aren't the best for ID purposes. Plus, I do have an idea what they are, just wanted to see what other people would say.

These guys aren't very pale - they do have a bit of color on them. No stripes running down their head. Only a single stripe running dorsally, from the tail to just above their mouths.

 

[Ron Popeil]

azedenkae, judging by the white tails, you have amphiprion akallopisos.

 

[keving]

most likely sandaracinos, does the stripe go all the way to the upper lip?

 

[Winwood]

azedenkae, judging by the white tails, you have amphiprion akallopisos.

^^^ They are these.

 

[keving]

where did they come from?

 

[Azedenkae]

Thanks guys! Before I give my own thoughts, just a few pics:

What do you guys think from the pics? Not sure where they are from, will check with my co-workers after the weekend.

 

[phender]

Absolutely, not sandaracinos.

They are likely Amphiprion akallopisos if they were caught in the Indian Ocean.

If they were caught in the Pacific then they are A. pacificus. I am not sure how to tell them apart visually.

Not all of either species have the dramatic pink to orange gradient that your's have. I have seen a few like yours before. They are stunning.

 

[Azedenkae]

Well, my co-worker said that they are probably from Fiji or something, aka the Pacific. Which would mean they are A. pacificus I guess.

Which is a shame, as I was looking for A. akallopisos specifically. And these are just such beautiful specimens. >.<

Thanks for the help everyone. Alas, my search for A. akallopisos continues.

 

[Azedenkae]

Well my other co-worker, the guy in charge of the entire section, clarified that they are from the Maldives! Checked and double-checked, and yep, thebIndian Ocean they're from! I was super stoked!

Grabbed them on the spot, and now one's in a jellyfish display tank (no other inhabitant), the other's in a tank with a Maroon.

Don't want these sold to anyone else - took me ages to find any A. akallopisos here in Australia, so super happy, but don't want to risk losing both at once if anything goes wrong.

 

[Winwood]

To my knowledge A. akallopisos doesn't originate from the Maldives. It is possible that they were collected from a near by site in the IO and then shipped there to be combined with other stuff though. It's like when stuff from the Marshall Islands comes in under the label as "Hawaiin." The animals are first collected in the Marshalls, then shipped to Hawaii, and then to the States or where ever. I've bought a couple pairs of clowns, one tricinctus and one chrysopterus, that came in as Hawaiin. Both types originated from the Marshalls.

 

[phender]

Well my other co-worker, the guy in charge of the entire section, clarified that they are from the Maldives! Checked and double-checked, and yep, thebIndian Ocean they're from! I was super stoked!

Grabbed them on the spot, and now one's in a jellyfish display tank (no other inhabitant), the other's in a tank with a Maroon.

Don't want these sold to anyone else - took me ages to find any A. akallopisos here in Australia, so super happy, but don't want to risk losing both at once if anything goes wrong.

Its probably not a good idea to put on in with a maroon. It is very possible the maroon may start to take exception and kill the new clown.

 

[Azedenkae]

@Winwood: Ah, good to know. Yeah, the entire batch is from the Maldives, but yeah, it could be from elsewhere in the Indian Ocean.

@phender: Mhm, I had to watch them for a while to make sure. It is quite a huge tank, 6'x2'x2' if I'm not mistaken. Anyways, they seemed like they get along so I let them be. Hopefully when I come back on Monday it's still alright.

 

[Azedenkae]

So the Skunk in the 'safe' tank died. RIP.

The other one with the Maroon is happy as Larry though. No fights during the day. Turned off the main lights today and decided to record what they do:

 

[Azedenkae]

Oops video didn't work in previous post. Anyways:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...DC8362C-1393-0000011A60C38312_zpsdb3c148e.mp4