Black Ice Clownfish Care Guide
The Black Ice is a designer Amphiprion ocellaris combining the Snowflake pattern with a dark Mocha base; care follows the ocellaris clownfish.
Overview
The Black Ice clownfish is a designer strain of Amphiprion ocellaris, family Pomacentridae. According to Reef Builders, it was produced by introducing the Snowflake gene into the dark Mocha line, substituting a Snowflake ocellaris for a wild-type three-barred parent. The result is a dark-bodied fish with broken white bars and strong contrast. As a colour morph of A. ocellaris it shares the biology and care of the ocellaris clownfish.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pomacentridae
- Genus: Amphiprion
- Scientific name: Amphiprion ocellaris "Black Ice"
- Base species describer: Cuvier, 1830
Habitat
Wild Amphiprion ocellaris occurs in the Indo-West Pacific, on outer reef slopes and sheltered lagoons to about 15 m depth, associating with host anemones such as Heteractis magnifica, Stichodactyla gigantea and Stichodactyla mertensii. The Black Ice strain is bred in captivity.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L (26 gal)
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Specific gravity: 1.024-1.026
- Carbonate hardness: 8-12 dKH
- Adult size: 7-10 cm (2.8-3.9 in)
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
Diet
Amphiprion ocellaris is an omnivore, feeding on zooplankton, copepods and algae in the wild. Captive-bred designer fish accept prepared marine foods, frozen rations and quality flakes or pellets, fed two times daily.
Compatibility
Ocellaris clownfish are territorial but peaceful enough for reef communities. Compatible tankmates include royal gramma, firefish and cleaner shrimp, while lionfish, triggerfish and large angelfish should be avoided.
Reef compatibility
The strain is reef-safe and does not harm corals or invertebrates. A host anemone is optional in captivity.
Breeding
As a protandrous hermaphrodite, the dominant fish of a pair becomes female. Ocellaris are demersal egg layers that guard their eggs, which hatch in about six to eight days. Pairing fish that carry the Mocha and Snowflake genes yields Black Ice and related offspring.