Snowflake Clownfish Care Guide
The Snowflake is a captive-bred designer strain of Amphiprion ocellaris with broken, irregular white bars; husbandry follows the wild ocellaris clownfish.
Overview
The Snowflake clownfish is a captive-bred designer strain of Amphiprion ocellaris, a member of the family Pomacentridae. Selective breeding has produced broken, irregular white bars that differ from the three clean bands of the wild form. As a colour morph of A. ocellaris it shares the biology and care requirements of the ocellaris clownfish; the strain itself is a domestic aesthetic rather than a distinct species.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pomacentridae
- Genus: Amphiprion
- Scientific name: Amphiprion ocellaris "Snowflake"
- Base species describer: Cuvier, 1830
Habitat
Wild Amphiprion ocellaris occurs in the Indo-West Pacific, from the eastern Indian Ocean to the western Pacific, on outer reef slopes and in sheltered lagoons to about 15 m depth. It associates with host anemones including Heteractis magnifica, Stichodactyla gigantea and Stichodactyla mertensii. Designer strains such as the Snowflake are produced entirely 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. In the wild it feeds on zooplankton, copepods and algae. Captive-bred designer strains readily accept prepared marine foods, frozen rations and quality flakes or pellets, fed two times daily.
Compatibility
Ocellaris clownfish are territorial but peaceful enough for community reef tanks. Suitable companions include royal gramma, firefish and cleaner shrimp, while large aggressive fish such as lionfish, triggerfish and large angelfish should be avoided.
Reef compatibility
Ocellaris clownfish are considered reef-safe and do not harm corals or invertebrates. A host anemone is not required in captivity, and the fish may adopt a coral or remain free-swimming.
Breeding
Amphiprion ocellaris is a protandrous hermaphrodite: the dominant individual in a pair becomes female. They are demersal egg layers that guard the clutch, and eggs hatch in roughly six to eight days. Designer strains are propagated by pairing fish that carry the desired pattern genes.