Melanistic Theory

[MarinaP]

One of the close examples of melanism in tomato complex

 

[WDLV]

See IMO I think it might be possible that McCullochi is just a tomato hybrid or a melanistic? Now don't everyone jump on me all at once, its just my opinion

Sort of. I think they were probably a melanistic version of melanopus or rubrocinctus at some point but a population bottleneck formed a separate species over time. Technically I think a "species" is supposed to not be able to produce viable offspring with similar animals. Think Horse + Donkey = Mule.
...but as we all know anemonefish hybrids are capable of producing viable offspring. It seems anemonefish are not far enough down the evolutionary chain to have fully separated into separate species. They're more like different dog breeds. It's the same animal whether it's a teacup poodle or an English Mastiff.

 

[ezhoops]

good point