shawn miller | Okinawa Nature Photography

Have you ever wondered how many species of anemonefish are found in the beautiful waters of Okinawa? There are six anemonefishes found here. Most are found in shallow water and all live in a venomous sea anemone for protection. Their biggest threats are over-collecting.

(1) Nemo – Is known as the false clown anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris). In my opinion is the most beautiful anemone fish of the Ryukyu Islands.

false clown anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris) © Shawn Miller

The false clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) photographed in black & white.

false clown anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris) © Shawn Miller

(2) The Tomato anemonefish (Amphiprion frenatus) is the most abundant anemonefish found here. The juveniles sometimes have multiple white stripes.

Tomato anemonefish (Amphiprion frenatus) © Shawn Miller

Sometimes the Tomato anemonefish (Amphiprion frenatus) can be found in large colonies with over sixty fish living together in multiple sea anemones.

Tomato anemonefish colony © Shawn Miller

The Tomato anemonefish (Amphiprion frenatus) in black & white.

Tomato anemonefish (Amphiprion frenatus) © Shawn Miller

(3) Clark’s anemonefish ( Amphiprion clarkii ) is fairly common as well. A tough anemonefish for sure!

Clark’s anemonefish ( Amphiprion clarkii ) © Shawn Miller

The juveniles are often found in small nursery anemones. Is it possible these baby anemone fish see the fluorescence of the anemone? I have always wondered how the hatchlings find a small anemone far away for a reef.

Clark’s anemonefish ( Amphiprion clarkii ) and fluorescence © Shawn Miller

For some strange reason, the Clarks anemonefish (Amphiprion clarkii) turns dark black when living in the giant carpet sea anemone.

black Clark’s anemonefish ( Amphiprion clarkii ) © Shawn Miller

(4) The orange anemonefish (Amphiprion sandaracinos) is uncommon here. They all have a white dorsal stripe running from the lip to the tail.

Orange anemonefish (Amphiprion sandaracinos) © Shawn Miller

5) The saddle anemonefish (Amphiprion polymnus) is scarce here. They are usually found living in a large carpet anemone around white fine sand.

saddle anemonefish (Amphiprion polymnus) © Shawn Miller

(6) The pink anemonefish (Amphiprion perideraion) is fairly common here. They all have a white dorsal stripe running from the eyes to the tail and a narrow white head bar.

pink anemonefish (Amphiprion perideraion) © Shawn Miller

The pink anemonefish (Amphiprion perideraion) in black & white.

pink anemonefish (Amphiprion perideraion) © Shawn Miller

The three-spotted damselfish (Dascyllus trimaculatus) seeks shelter in sea anemones at the juvenile stage for protection. It leaves the anemone when its ready and never comes back.

The three-spotted damselfish (Dascyllus trimaculatus) seek shelter in sea anemones at the juvenile stage for protection.

The three-spotted damselfish (Dascyllus trimaculatus) © Shawn Miller

Okinawa offers some of the best shore diving in the world. What are you waiting for?

Please consider making a small donation to support my mission. Have a great day!

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Ryukyu-ken is a scarce breed of dog found on the Island of Okinawa. In the past, these dogs were used to hunt down wild boars in the Yanbaru forest. They are currently designated as an Okinawan national treasure. I have personally seen these dogs hunt wild birds and they have no problems catching them. The Ryukyu ken has a great sense of smell. They can smell their prey from far away. These smart dogs are outstanding hunters.

Ryukyu Ken – © Shawn Miller

Ryukyu-ken © Shawn Miller

It’s impressive that these dogs hunt such a large powerful animal. Ryukyu wild boar (Sus scrofa).

Ryukyu wild boar (sus scrofa) This is a common wild boar found in Okinawa,

Ryukyu wild boar (Sus scrofa) © Shawn Miller

I was out searching for birds and saw this beautiful male Ryukyu Inu. I knew he was out on a hunting mission. It was just a matter of being at the right place at the right time.

Ryukyu Inu -Okinawan native dog © Shawn Miller

Ryukyu native dog ready for the hunt © Shawn Miller

Ryukyu Inu -Okinawan native dog © Shawn Miller

I tried to get a better photograph but the dogs kept avoiding me. The Ryukyu ken caught a duck with the help of a team partner.

I often would see the Master walking his dogs on the beach and one day I finally asked him if I could photograph him and his dogs.

Master and his Ryukyu Ken © Shawn Miller

Master walking his Ryukyu Dogs © Shawn Miller

I had the opportunity to meet another Ryukyu Ken this weekend. What caught my eye was the the double claw ( AKA Dew claw) on the rear legs. He had six toenails on the hind legs and only four toenails on the front legs, the term for this is polydactyl. I have only seen extra digits on the front legs of a cats before.

Ryukyu ken -dogs of the Ryukyu’s

Check out those dew claws- six toenails on the hind legs

polydactyl ryukyu dog- Meet boots the Hemingway cat (Polydactyl)

Meet boots the Hemingway cat (Polydactyl). Check out those extra digits!

Boots the Polydactyl Cat by Shawn Miller

Look at those beautiful patterns of the Ryukyu ken.

Ryukyu ken – Coat colors and patterns

The Ryukyu Ken is my favorite dog.

I often find some of the most interesting dogs on my photographic adventures exploring the Island. I try to capture their unique personality. Below are some of my favorite dogs.

Okinawan dog © Shawn Miller

Sometimes on my adventures, I run into aggressive dogs. They are just protecting their territory. I respect their space and leave the scene.

Sometimes I run into kind photogenic dogs that love their photograph taken.

My Mission: To Document and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands

This site is also designed to help people identify the beautiful animals of Okinawa, basically to serve as an online nature reference guide. If you would like to make a contribution to support my mission, please click on the donation link paypal.me/maketheswitch4nature

Your donations will help conservation initiatives as well as bring solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines. Thank you for your support, Shawn M Miller.

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Okinawa Nature Photography

沖縄自然写真 By Shawn Miller

Tag Archives: shawn miller

Anemone-fish of the Ryukyu Islands by Shawn Miller

Ryukyu ken – Dogs of Okinawa by Shawn Miller