Naked Ocellaris Clownfish Care Guide
The Naked Ocellaris is a bar-less designer Amphiprion ocellaris with a solid orange body and minimal or no white bars; care follows the ocellaris clownfish.
Overview
The Naked Ocellaris clownfish is a designer strain of Amphiprion ocellaris, family Pomacentridae. Selective breeding has produced a bar-less fish: the body is solid orange with minimal or no white bars. As a colour morph of A. ocellaris it shares the biology and care of the ocellaris clownfish, differing only in pattern.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pomacentridae
- Genus: Amphiprion
- Scientific name: Amphiprion ocellaris "Naked"
- 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 Naked 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 damage 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. Bar-reduction patterns are reinforced by pairing fish that express the reduced barring.