Navy Blue Tomato Clown (A. frenatus)

Discussion in 'iBluewater' started by iBluewater, Feb 12, 2013.

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  1. iBluewater

    iBluewater Senior Member (PhD)

    Joined:
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    Location:
    iBluewater....... CA
    Photos below taken under full spectrum compact fluorescent 45watts=225watts, 5500K
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    You may have read about the dive trip last year that landed us the White Cap Orange Skunk: http://www.3reef.com/forums/tropical-fish/white-cap-orange-skunk-clown-137147.html

    On that same trip, I was told some news that, at the time, were thought to be very likely "villagers' tales"; about the sighting of a Navy Blue Tomato Clownfish (A. frenatus).

    You see, I had just discovered the White Cap Orange Skunk. It was exciting. So it was all too easy to let that bit of news slip by without paying it enough attention. That was my mistake.

    Then one late evening, 5 weeks ago, I had a call from an iBluewater outpost. One of our divers had collected a Navy Blue Tomato Clownfish!

    After the photos confirmed it, I could have done cartwheels. It was a super rare find; possibly the only Navy Blue Tomato Clown in existence.

    Photo below taken under full spectrum compact fluorescent bulb 45watts=225watts, 5500K
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    Navy blue with purple hues is the color of the entire body of this fish. The lower forehead, front face and upper and lower lips are a bluish lavender-purple. Spinous portion of its dorsal fin have similar coloration to the body, and the soft rayed portion is light translucent purple. Pelvic and anal fins also have similar coloration to the body. Pectoral fins are purple from the body to half way out, then lightly translucent purple from the half way point to the tip. Caudal fins are translucent pastel purple. The white band is clear white, with jagged edges from top to bottom, and bright turquoise color towards the lower bottom of the band. Scales on its body appear small to medium size giving it a smooth leathery look, instead of the more obvious scales and "pixelated" look of, say, the Madagascar Anemonefish (A. Latifasciatus). There are no noticeable red, orange, or orange-red coloration on this fish.

    Unbelievable! What a find.

    Photo below taken under full spectrum compact fluorescent bulb 45 watts=225 watts, 5500K
    [​IMG]


    Photo below taken in total darkness except for camera flash, the Navy Blue and its mate sleeping.
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    Last edited: Feb 12, 2013
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  3. FishMagnet

    FishMagnet Plankton

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    Kansas City area
    Beautiful tomato clown!
     
  4. chealy

    chealy Spaghetti Worm

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    SC
    Wow that is too cool! Beautiful fish.
     
  5. 1.0reef

    1.0reef Giant Squid

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  6. Camkha1234

    Camkha1234 Great Blue Whale

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  7. tonythereefer

    tonythereefer Fire Shrimp

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    Auburn, MA.
    wow thats amazing thank you for sharing
     
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  9. iBluewater

    iBluewater Senior Member (PhD)

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    Location:
    iBluewater....... CA

    Thank You! :)
     
  10. iBluewater

    iBluewater Senior Member (PhD)

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    Location:
    iBluewater....... CA

    Thanks for your interest, its going to Europe.
     
  11. tattoolew

    tattoolew Sea Dragon

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2011
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    Location:
    Bluefield, VA
    very cool looking coloration, is it a mutation or a different species? I would love to see a turquoise clown, neat.
     
  12. RossRalliart

    RossRalliart Plankton

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    Feb 12, 2013
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    Ibluewater once again leading the saltwater bussiness and leaving behind the competition in the dust !