Clark's Clownfish (Amphiprion clarkii) Care Guide
The hardiest and most versatile of all clownfish species, found across the widest geographical range. Displays highly variable coloration from dark brown to bright yellow-orange with two or three whit…
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Amphiprion clarkii is a species in the family Pomacentridae. The hardiest and most versatile of all clownfish species, found across the widest geographical range. Displays highly variable coloration from dark brown to bright yellow-orange with two or three white bands. Unique among clownfish for associating with all ten known host anemone species. Larger and more assertive than other clowns.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pomacentridae
- Genus: Amphiprion
- Scientific name: Amphiprion clarkii
- Other names: Yellowtail Clownfish, Clark's Anemonefish
- Origin: Indo-Pacific, Indian Ocean, Western Pacific
Habitat
The most widely distributed anemonefish, found from the Persian Gulf throughout the Indo-Pacific east to Micronesia and Melanesia. Uniquely uses all ten known host anemone species. Shows extreme regional colour variation between yellow, orange and dark forms.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 120 L
- Temperature: 23-28 °C
- pH: 8-8.4
- GH: 8-12 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Adult size: 10-15 cm
- Lifespan: 10-20 years
- Difficulty: beginner
Diet
Classified as omnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 2x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.
Compatibility
- Temperament: semi-aggressive
- Swimming level: middle
- Compatible tank mates: Tangs, Wrasses, Angelfish, All Anemone Species
- Avoid with: Other Clownfish Species, Aggressive Damsels
Reef compatibility
Generally classified as reef-safe: does not feed on stony or soft corals, tridacnid clams or ornamental shrimps under normal conditions.
Breeding
- Breeding strategy: substrate-spawner
- Breeding difficulty: intermediate
Clark's Clownfish Breeding Guide
Overview
Amphiprion clarkii is a protandrous hermaphrodite: individuals develop into males first and become females when they mature. Within a group only two fish, a male and a female, reproduce, using external fertilization, and they sit at the top of a strict dominance hierarchy. The species is the least host-specific anemonefish, associating with all ten species of host sea anemones, which makes pairing it with a host in captivity straightforward.
Sexing
Sex follows social rank rather than fixed birth sex. The largest, dominant fish becomes the female; the second-ranked fish is the breeding male. Raising juveniles together and allowing the hierarchy to settle is the standard route to a functional breeding pair.
Conditioning
Observations of wild pairs in the Philippines showed a peak breeding season from November through May. Stable, warm reef conditions and frequent feeding bring a bonded pair into spawning condition. A host anemone is readily accepted but is not strictly required for spawning in captivity.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Spawning is linked to the lunar cycle: in the studied wild population egg production increased up to the new moon and decreased after the full moon. As an anemonefish, the pair lays demersal eggs on a flat surface near its territory and fertilizes them externally.
Egg & Fry Care
In line with the anemonefish pattern, the male guards and tends the nest until hatching. Larvae are pelagic and, in captivity, are reared on small live foods, beginning with rotifers and graduating to Artemia nauplii as they grow.
Common Challenges
Clark's clownfish is larger and more assertive than most anemonefish, so the breeding tank must give the pair enough space and minimize harassment from tankmates. As with all clownfish, the planktonic larval stage is the principal hurdle and requires dense, correctly sized live food and stable water quality.