Clownfish and anemonefish are fish from the subfamily Amphiprioninae in the family Pomacentridae. About twenty eight species are recognized, one in the genus Premnas, while the remaining are in the genus Amphiprion. In the wild they all form symbiotic relationships with sea anemones.
Clown anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris) are called false clownfish because they resemble the orange clownfish (Amphiprion percula). There are some subtle differences between them, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History:
- The clown anemonefish has thin black bands, while the orange clownfish has thick black bands separating the orange and white coloration of the body.
- The clown anemonefish often has a slightly less brilliant color than the orange clownfish.
- Viewed head-on, the clown anemonefish's head appears plain while the orange clownfish's head has a pronounced bulging face similar to a frog.
- The clown anemonefish's eyes are grayish orange and appear to be larger than they actually are; the orange clownfish has a bright orange iris, which has the effect of making the eyes look smaller.
(Source: Livescience.com)