Ocellaris Clownfish

Common or False Percula Clownfish

Family: Pomacentridae Normal ColorAmphiprion ocellarisPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   The Ocellaris Clownfish, False or Common Percula Clownfish, in its "normal" coloration, looks very much like another clownfish known as the True Percula Clownfish.

   This clownfish is generally readily available and very reasonably priced. The Ocerllaris Clownfish, False or Common Percula Clownfish is hardy and a good clownfish for a beginning marine enthusiast.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Marine Aquarium

Maintenance difficulty:

   The Ocellaris Clownfish, Common or False Percula Clownfish is generally easy to keep.

Maintenance:

   Feed all kinds of live, frozen, and flake foods. Best to feed small amounts several times a day.

Habitat: Natural geographic location:

   Ocellaris Clownfish, False or Common Percula Clownfish are found in the Adaman and Nicobar Islands (Andaman Sea), Indo-Malayan Archipelago, Philippines, northwestern Australia, coast of Southeast Asia northwards to the Ryuku Islands.

Host Anemones:

   Heteractus magnifica ~ Magnificent sea anemone.
   Stichtodactyla gigantea ~ Gigantic sea anemone.
   Stichtodactyla mertensii ~ Merten's sea anemone.

Foods:

   All kinds. See "maintenance" above.

Social Behaviors:

   Like all damselfish, they can be territorial and aggressive, especially as they get older.

Sex: Sexual differences:

   The female is usually much larger than the male.

Light: Recommended light levels:

   No special requirements.

Breeding/Reproduction:

   Bred in captivity. See general breeding techniques on the Breeding Marine Fish page.

Temperature:

   No special requirements.

Length/Diameter of fish:

   Ocellaris Clownfish, Common or False Percula Clownfish adults can grow to 8 cm ( 3.2 inches).

Minimum Tank Length/Size:

   A minimum 20 gallon aquarium is recommended.

Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong

   No special requirements.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom

   No special requirements.

Availability:

   This fish is generally readily available.

Available From These Merchants

• Amphiprion ocellaris : $17.99
• Amphiprion ocellaris : $26.99

Ocellaris Clownfish Amphiprion Ocellaris Med. Tankraised Offered By: That Pet Place Price: $17.99

Ocellaris Clownfish Amphiprion Ocellaris Medium Offered By: That Pet Place Price: $26.99

Lastest Animal Stories on Common or False Percula Clownfish View all 22 Animal Stories on Common or False Percula Clownfish Add Your Animal Story

Anonymous - 2012-02-26 How many species of clown fish pairs can i put in a 80-90 gallon tank Clarice Brough - 2012-02-26 Mixing species of clownfish is not suggested. Clownfish are extremely competitive and aggressive towards other species of clowns, and some even with their own species. The Ocellaris Clownfish is the most peaceful and you can keep several of this species together. Some of the other clown fish can be keep in pairs, like the Tomato Clownfish and the Clark's Clownfish, but others like the Maroon Clown will do best kept singly. Anonymous - 2012-04-24 Well really you can put as much as you want just keep some distance from each other Chris - 2013-03-29 Dont listen to the above people that talk about clownfish needing to be kept several females to one male. That is impossible considering clownfish biology. The largest specimen will always be a female and all others will be males. The largest male will be the breeding partner, until the female dies, then he morps into a female and the chain continues... Reply

Trevor - 2003-08-17 I dont find these fish aggresive at all Ive had them before, for 2-3 years and have never found them aggresive. In fact Ive had them being picked on and or just left alone. Reply

M Woodhill - 2010-09-23 Hi everyone, thanks in advance but I do come cross a problem. There are lots of stories I've heard o.a. will adopt bta. I have the both and my o.a. have paired. Yet they seemingly accept one piece of live rock as host and schooled around it and never swim afar. They have even swum to my bta as close as several inches. What am I supposed to do to make my pair accept bta as host and swift them from the rock? I tried some means but seemingly none of them worked but the means stressed them and bta so is there any solution or I must purchase a pair of maroons or clarkiis or whatever supposed to share symboints in the nature? Many many big thanx. aelun - 2011-06-11 If you are desparate try putting a predator in the tank but only if your really desparate as the clowns will find safety in the anenomes tentacles. Also get 2 anenomes as the clowns may fight over the anenome but I'd get two anenomes and leave the clowns be but do not introduce glass[aptasia] anenomes they breed like wild fire and the clowns wont go near them but anyway have fun. Reply

Anonymous - 2012-04-24 Hey I have tons of moss in my tank. I'm thinking about geting a sea hair that devours it. but can a sea hair fit in a 14G? Anonymous - 2012-06-18 Yes that is fine but when you are out of Moss (Sea hair) Return it to to the store. unless you can train to eat fish food. Good luck! Reply

shaun - 2011-01-21 I got 2 clowns in a 10-20 Litre tank. I got them from the dame tank where I bought them but they were in a group. One is large female the other is small male would they pair up. The small male follows the female and the female doesn't mind it when it comes. So are they a pair? Anonymous - 2011-06-11 Yes they are most likely a pair as in the clownfish family all clowns are born males then in a group of males the biggest becomes female. Anonymous - 2012-04-10 Yeah thats a pair. But be carefull, if your tank is a 20G or less don't put another pair in. They could become territorial. Look out for eggs! Reply

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