PIGMENTATION VARIATION IN THE ANEMONEFISH AMPHIPRION-OCELLARIS (TELEOSTEI, POMACENTRIDAE) - TYPE, STABILITY AND ITS USEFULNESS FOR INDIVIDUAL IDENTIFICATION

Variation in pigment pattern between Amphiprion ocellaris individuals was examined from photographs to identify individual morphological var iation. Variation was observed in the shape of the three vertical whit e bars on the fish. Photographs taken after eight months indicated tha t bar shape appeared stable. Fin outer margin pigmentation was not fou nd to be stable over the study period. Individuals over 40 mm in total length could be readily distinguished over the eight-month study peri od. Identification was less obvious in fish under 40 mm, due to the sm aller size of photographic images and the developing caudal bars of re cently recruited individuals.