MochaVinci Clownfish Care Guide
The MochaVinci is a captive-bred Amphiprion ocellaris designer line with a dark body and branching white pattern, created by crossing Mocha and DaVinci lines.
Overview
The MochaVinci is a captive-bred designer line of Amphiprion ocellaris, a small reef-associated damselfish of the family Pomacentridae. According to its originating breeder, Sea & Reef Aquaculture, the line was produced by crossing a dark Black (Darwin) Ocellaris with a DaVinci Ocellaris, combining the swirling white pattern of the DaVinci with a golden-and-black body. As a colour and pattern selection of one species, its biology and husbandry match those of the parent Amphiprion ocellaris.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pomacentridae
- Genus: Amphiprion
- Scientific name: Amphiprion ocellaris Cuvier, 1830
- Trade name: Amphiprion ocellaris "MochaVinci" (captive-bred designer line)
Habitat
Wild Amphiprion ocellaris occurs in the Indo-West Pacific, from the eastern Indian Ocean through Southeast Asia to the Philippines, Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands. It inhabits outer reef slopes and sheltered lagoons at depths of about 1 to 15 m, living among the tentacles of host sea anemones such as Heteractis magnifica, Stichodactyla gigantea and Stichodactyla mertensii. MochaVinci fish are produced in captivity and have no wild population of their own.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Carbonate hardness (dKH): 8-12
- Specific gravity: 1.024-1.026
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
Diet
Amphiprion ocellaris is an omnivore, feeding in the wild on zooplankton, copepods and algae. In the aquarium it accepts a varied diet of marine flake and pellet foods plus frozen mysis and brine shrimp, offered about twice daily.
Compatibility
Like other captive-bred ocellaris, the MochaVinci is peaceful and occupies the middle water column near a host or shelter. It mixes well with small to medium reef species such as royal gramma, firefish and cleaner shrimp, while large predators such as lionfish and triggerfish should be avoided. Reported care and temperament are essentially identical to the standard ocellaris.
Reef compatibility
Clownfish do not consume coral and are reef-safe. They are maintained at reef salinity of 1.024-1.026 specific gravity and carbonate hardness around 8-12 dKH. A host anemone is optional in captivity; the fish thrive with or without an anemone present.
Breeding
Amphiprion ocellaris is a protandrous hermaphrodite; the dominant fish of a monogamous pair becomes the female. Pairs lay demersal eggs on a hard surface near the host, and the male guards and aerates the clutch until hatching, which occurs after about 6 to 8 days. Designer lines such as the MochaVinci arise from this captive breeding.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2021). The wide availability of captive-bred ocellaris reduces demand for wild-caught fish.