Wide-band Clownfish

The Wide-band Clownfish is one of the rarest and most visually distinctive clownfish species in the world, found only in the subtropical waters of eastern Australia, primarily around Lord Howe Island and parts of the New South Wales coast. Its most striking feature is an unusually broad white middle bar that extends across the entire mid-section of the body, significantly wider than the bars found on any other clownfish species. The body is dark brown to black, with a standard-width white bar behind the eye and a third white bar at the base of the tail. The lips often display a distinctive blue or purple hue that gives rise to one of its common names.

In the wild, the Wide-band Clownfish inhabits the subtropical reef environments of eastern Australia, where it hosts with Bubble Tip Anemones (Entacmaea quadricolor). The cool, temperate waters at Lord Howe Island represent the extreme southern limit of clownfish distribution, and the Wide-band Clownfish has adapted to water temperatures that would be too cold for most tropical clownfish species. Its extremely limited range, combined with the protected status of Lord Howe Island as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, makes wild-caught specimens virtually unavailable in the aquarium trade.

The Wide-band Clownfish requires intermediate-level care primarily due to its rarity and preference for slightly cooler water temperatures than standard tropical reef tanks. Captive-bred specimens are the only ethical and practical source for aquarists and are available from a small number of specialized Australian breeders. Once acclimated, the species is hardy and long-lived, displaying the typical semi-aggressive clownfish temperament. Its dramatic appearance and conservation story make it one of the most prized clownfish among serious collectors.