Bunaken National Marine Park: A Colorful Clownfish Gallery

travelertina

07:07:00 July 14, 2025

Asia,Indonesia

Clownfish easily make my list of the top five most exciting things to see underwater (they share that spot with octopuses, nudibranchs, sea fans, and manta rays — it’s an eclectic mix). There’s nothing quite like coming upon these little guys and their anemones as you dive or snorkel along a coral reef.

Pair of common clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) nestled in the pale tentacles of a magnificent sea anemone, anchored to a vibrant red base on a coral reef in Bunaken National Park, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Why clownfish? They’re cute, they’re colorful — and unlike the thousands of fish that dart away the minute they see a snorkeler, clownfish have the polite habit of staying put near their anemone homes (this is a good moment to note that what we call clownfish are technically known as anemonefish). Why do they always hang out in their anemones? As you may know, this is the one place the clownfish can stay safe: they gain protection from the anemone’s stinging tentacles. The anemones get something out of the deal, too: clownfish provide food scraps and free tentacle-cleaning services. It’s a strong symbiotic relationship.

Pair of orange skunk clownfish (Amphiprion sandaracinos) nestled in a dense carpet anemone, blending into the brown and white speckled texture of the coral reef in Bunaken National Park, Indonesia.

While clownfish are adorable, I am also a big fan of the anemones themselves — these swaying beauties are always worth a look, even when there’s no clownfish in sight.

Bright purple sea anemone with long, flowing tentacles nestled among coral on a reef in Bunaken National Park, Indonesia.

All of these creatures are so amazing that I had to dedicate a post to them (as a diver I once met said, “who doesn’t like clownfish porn?”). Here’s a collection of some of my favorite clownfish and anemone pics from my snorkeling adventures in Bunaken National Park — specifically, around the glorious reefs that surround Siladen, Bunaken, and Bangka Islands. Dive in and enjoy the celebration!

We’ve Found Nemo!

Two orange-and-white clownfish nestled among the pale green tentacles of a sea anemone, spotted while snorkeling in Bunaken National Park, Indonesia.

What kind of clownfish was Nemo? He was an ocellaris clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) — also known as the false percula clownfish or common clownfish — and he’s easy to spot in these waters. But unlike Nemo, these guys never swim far from their protective anemone shelters.

Species Diversity

Who else is out there beyond Nemo? There are many different kinds of clownfish — taxonomists have identified roughly 30 different species. If you’re in North Sulawesi, these are some of the clownfish you’re most likely to spot.

Close-up of a maroon clownfish (Premnas biaculeatus) nestled among the pale yellow tentacles of a sea anemone, with pinkish tips glowing in the sunlight on a coral reef. — Maroon anemonefish (*Premnas biaculeatus*)

Pair of Pink Anemonefish (Amphiprion perideraion) swimming above a pale long-tentacle anemone with blue-tips on a coral reef in Bunaken National Park, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. — Pink anemonefish, *Amphiprion perideraion*

Clark’s anemonefish (Amphiprion clarkii) swimming near coral, a hydroid, and a pale long tentacle anemone with a pink aenmonefish on a colorful reef in Bunaken National Park, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. — Clark’s anemonefish (*Amphiprion clarkii)* — with a pink anemonefish (Aphiprion perideraion) below

Two skunk clownfish (Amphiprion sandaracinos) nestle among the tentacles of a brown carpet anemone, while a yellow marine creature stretches vertically across the foreground. — Skunk anemonefish (*Amphiprion sandaracinos)*

Cinnamon anemonefish (Amphiprion melanopus) with its deep red body and single white band swimming among the pale green tentacles of a sea anemone on a coral reef in Bunaken National Park, Indonesia. — Cinnamon anemonefish (Amphiprion melanopus)

Splashes of Color

Clownfish live in all sorts of anemones, but it’s most exciting to find them in a vibrant pop of color.

Pair of maroon clownfish (Premnas biaculeatus) nestled in a vibrant green-tipped sea anemone, with a turquoise coral in the upper right, photographed while snorkeling in Bunaken National Park, Indonesia. — Maroon clownfish (Premnas biaculeatus) living it up in neon green

Group of clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) swimming around a bulbous, reddish-orange magnificent sea anemone with pale yellow tentacles, on a reef in Bunaken National Park, Indonesia. — Ocellaris clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) perching on a reddish-orange magnificent anemone

Close-up view of a sea anemone with ivory tentacles tipped in vibrant electric blue, seen on a coral reef in Bunaken National Park, Indonesia. — One tiny denizen hidden in electric blue tips

Ocellaris clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) partially hidden among the long, pale green and lavender-tipped tentacles of a sea anemone on a coral reef in Bunaken National Park, Indonesia. — Ocellaris clownfish (*Amphiprion ocellaris)* secluded in dreamy green and lavender

Maroon clownfish tucked into a bright orange-hued anemone with long, slender tentacles, set amidst coral and reef fish in Bunaken National Park. — Maroon clownfish swimming in underwater flames

Close-up of a pair of maroon clownfish (Premnas biaculeatus) nestled in a green sea anemone with white-tipped tentacles, captured on a coral reef in Bunaken National Park, Indonesia. — Bold maroon clownfish (*Amphiprion biaculeatus*) in their green anemone home.

Pink skunk clownfish (Amphiprion perideraion) nestled in the tentacles of a vibrant magenta magnificent anemone (Heteractis magnifica) on a sandy reef. — A pink skunk clownfish (*Amphiprion perideraion*) hovers in a vivid purple tangle

Bright red magnificent sea anemone with a red bulb and lavender and pale purple tentacles, sheltering a single clownfish, on a colorful coral reef in Bunaken National Park, Indonesia. — A magnificent anemone (*Heteractis magnifica)* dazzles with a crimson base and mauve crown—a lucky clownfish calls this one home!

Up Close and Personal

Clownfish will often swim right up to your face — or at least come up to the top of their anemones — if they feel threatened. They’re small, but they can be fierce.