Clownfish vs Red Drum
Amphiprion ocellaris compared with Sciaenops ocellatus
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Clownfish | Red Drum |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Amphiprion ocellaris | Sciaenops ocellatus |
| Order | Perciformes | Perciformes |
| Family | Pomacentridae | Sciaenidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Clownfish | Red Drum |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 11.0 cm | 155.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 0.01 kg | 45.0 kg |
| Color | Vivid orange body with three bold white bands edged in black: one behind the head, one mid-body, and one at the tail base; all fins are orange with black margins and white stripe edges. | Coppery-bronze to reddish-orange flanks with a characteristic black eyespot at the upper tail base; back is darker bronze-olive; belly pale to silvery; fins match body tone with dusky margins. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Clownfish | Red Drum |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Saltwater | Freshwater & Saltwater |
| Depth Range | 1-15m | 10-?m |
| Geographic Range | Eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific from the Andaman Sea and Thailand south to northwest Australia and east to the Philippines and Japan. Lives exclusively … | Western North Atlantic from Massachusetts south through the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. Adults favor open nearshore reefs and coastal surf zones while juveniles inhabit … |
| Habitat | Neritic, coral reefs | Estuaries |
Aquarium Suitability
| Attribute | Clownfish | Red Drum |
|---|---|---|
| Min Tank Size | 75 L | — |
| Temperature | 24-27 | — |
| pH Range | 8.0-8.4 | — |
| Care Level | Easy | — |
| Temperament | Peaceful | — |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Clownfish | Red Drum |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | No | Yes |
| Fight Rating | — | 7/10 |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
Clownfish
Not consumed — iconic ornamental marine species famous for its symbiotic relationship with sea anemones; a staple of reef aquariums worldwide.
Red Drum
Firm, white flesh with a mild, sweet flavor and moderate fat; smaller fish (under 27 inches) are the best table size. Famous as 'blackened redfish' — a Louisiana Cajun culinary classic.
Species Overview
Clownfish
The ocellaris clownfish is a protandrous sequential hermaphrodite that lives in a mutualistic relationship with sea anemones. Its mucus coating protects it from anemone stings. All individuals are born male and the dominant fish transitions to female.
Red Drum
The red drum, or redfish, is an iconic inshore game fish of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Identified by the distinctive black spot at the base of its tail, it feeds by tipping head-down in shallow water, exposing its copper-colored tail.