[4] Clownfish are small-sized, 10–18 centimetres (3.9–7.1 in), and depending on species, they are overall yellow, orange, or reddish or blackish color, and many show white bars or patches.

Within species there may be color variations, most commonly according to distribution, but also based on sex, age and host anemone.

Clownfish are found in warmer waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans and the Red Sea in sheltered reefs or in shallow lagoons.

Clownfish are sequential hermaphrodites, meaning that they develop into males first, and when they mature, they become females.

The cinnamon clownfish (A. melanopus) is also similar, but has a broader white headbar and outside Melanesia it has black pelvic and anal fins.

[5] This species is found as far north as Ryukyu Islands, Japan, to the South China Sea and surrounding areas including Malaysia and Indonesia.