Clownfish care guide
Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) — minimum tank 100 L, temperature 24-28 °C, pH 8-8.4.
Overview
The Ocellaris Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) is a small Indo-Pacific damselfish recognised by a bright orange body crossed by three white bars bordered with thin black lines. It is among the most popular marine aquarium fishes and one of the few that has been bred commercially in captivity for many generations.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pomacentridae
- Genus: Amphiprion
- Scientific name: Amphiprion ocellaris
- Common synonyms: Ocellaris Clownfish, False Percula Clownfish
Habitat
Occurs from the eastern Indian Ocean to the western Pacific, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and northern Australia. In nature the species lives in lagoon and outer-reef habitats in obligate symbiosis with the host anemones Heteractis magnifica, Stichodactyla gigantea and Stichodactyla mertensii.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L (26.4 US gal)
- Adult size: 7-10 cm
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 8-8.4
- GH: 8-12 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
- Salinity: SG 1.024-1.026
- Carbonate hardness (dKH): 8-12
Diet
An omnivore that takes zooplankton, small crustaceans and algae in the wild. In aquaria it accepts marine flakes, pellets, frozen mysis and enriched brine shrimp; multiple small daily feedings maintain colour and condition.
Compatibility
Peaceful with most reef tank mates but becomes territorial around its host anemone or spawning site. Best kept singly or as a bonded pair; do not mix multiple Amphiprion species in the same tank. Suitable tankmates include Royal Gramma, Yellowtail Damsel, Banggai Cardinalfish, Firefish Goby and small wrasses.
Reef compatibility
Reef-safe. The species does not nip corals or eat ornamental invertebrates and is one of the standard inhabitants of mixed reef aquariums. A host anemone is not required in captivity, and many adapt to long-tentacle corals such as Euphyllia as surrogate hosts.
Breeding
A protandrous hermaphrodite that forms strict size-based pair hierarchies; the largest individual is female. Pairs deposit adhesive demersal eggs on a flat surface adjacent to the host anemone, and the male tends them through hatching, which occurs around dusk after 6-10 days.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. Wild populations remain widespread and the species is one of the few marine aquarium fishes produced in large numbers by captive breeding, reducing pressure on wild reefs.