Clownfish

We cover a wide range of areas for all fish keepers. Discover amazing facts on your favourite fish, learn how to setup a new reef or tropical aquarium and a whole host of useful articles to keep your aquarium looking its best.

Clownfish

We cover a wide range of areas for all fish keepers. Discover amazing facts on your favourite fish, learn how to setup a new reef or tropical aquarium and a whole host of useful articles to keep your aquarium looking its best.

Fish & Invertebrate Guide >> Marine

The Fish Guide - Clownfish
  • Scientific Name : Amphiprion ocellaris
  • Origin : Tropical Pacific and Indian oceans
  • Difficulty : Easy
  • Minimum Size Tank : 30 Gallons
  • Temperament : Peaceful
  • Temperature : 72 - 82°F
  • Reef Safe : Yes
  • Maximum Size : 5-7cm
  • Diet : Omnivore

The Ocellaris Clownfish is one of the most popular marine fish for home aquariums. The Clownfish has a beautiful orange body with white bands outlined in black. The Clownfish has also been known as the False Percula Clownfish and the anemone fish; this is due to them making their homes in sea anemones. There are 28 species of Clownfish which come in many colours and all with unique markings.

The Ocellaris Clownfish are aggressive eaters and will accept most frozen meaty foods and algae.

Most Ocellaris Clownfish are captive bred which makes them more hardy to the conditions of the home aquarium. This makes them the idea starter fish for the newly cycled marine aquarium.

Clownfish are all born male with the ability to change sex to become female. Once a clownfish has changed from male to female they cannot turn back. This change is often made in a large male environment were the large dominant fish will become female. Clownfish are social fish that live in groups. These are best added to the aquarium at the same time. The second largest fish is the dominant male and if the female dies then the largest male becomes the female.

Clownfish survival depends on the mutualisation with anemones. These fish are primly associated with 3 species of anemones but have been known to associate well with other anemones. The 3 main species of anemones are: -

    • Magnificent Anemone
    • Gigantic Anemone
    • Merten's Anemone

The anemones tentacles contain stinging cells which are used to immobilise the anemones prey and to also protect the Clownfish from its predators. In return, the Clownfish cleans the parasites from the anemones body. The Clownfish has a seeming natural immunity to the stings of the sea anemone.

Female Clownfish lay their eggs on a flat surface close to the sea anemone they inhabit. The female Clownfish can lay hundreds of eggs at a time depending on species. The male Clownfish then guards the eggs until they hatch a little over a week later. The male Clownfish will also eat any of the unfertile eggs it’s protecting.

Clownfish

Clownfish