Amphiprion ocellaris
var. Nemo
Quick Stats
Difficulty
Easy
Environment
Saltwater
Temperature
24°C - 27°C
pH Level
8.1 - 8.4
Water Hardness
143 - 214 ppm
Lifespan
10 years
Origin
Western Pacific Ocean
Adult Size
7 - 11 cm
Diet
Omnivore
Creature Type
Fish
TDS
35000 ppm
Water Flow
Medium Flow
Aquarium Building Information
Minimum Tank Size
40L
Swimming Zone
middle
Oxygen Consumption
Medium
Waste Production
Medium
Metabolism Rate
Medium
Activity Level
Moderate
Feeding Frequency
Daily
Food Types
Flakes
Pellets
Frozen Food
Live Food
About This Species
Basic Description
Famous for their vibrant orange and white bands, Ocellaris Clownfish are hardy, peaceful marine fish perfect for newcomers to the saltwater aquarium hobby. These fish are full of personality and are known for their charming, wobbly swimming style. While famously associated with sea anemones, they do not require one to thrive in a home aquarium, often choosing to host in a flowing coral or even a quiet corner of the tank. They are not picky eaters and will readily accept a variety of common aquarium foods, making feeding a simple task. Clownfish have a fascinating social structure; they live in groups led by a dominant female, and if she perishes, the largest male will change sex to take her place. This unique trait, combined with their resilient nature, makes them one of the most popular and rewarding fish in the marine hobby. Due to their adaptability and the success of captive breeding programs, they are a sustainable choice for aquarists. Their manageable size means they can be happily kept alone or in pairs in smaller, well-maintained saltwater setups, bringing a splash of oceanic beauty to any home.
Detailed Description
The Ocellaris Clownfish, often called the False Percula, is an iconic marine species celebrated for its hardiness and captivating behavior, making it an excellent entry point into saltwater aquaria. While their water parameter requirements are standard for a reef environment, stability is more critical than chasing exact numbers. A mature aquarium with stable salinity and temperature is paramount for their long-term health. Their moderate waste production and bioload mean they won't overly tax a standard filtration system in an appropriately sized tank. In terms of habitat, while they occupy the middle water column, their activity is localized. They tend to claim a small territory and rarely stray, making them a predictable and non-disruptive tank inhabitant. This territoriality is most pronounced when they are guarding a host or a clutch of eggs. When setting up an aquarium, a medium, randomized water flow is ideal, as it mimics the gentle currents of the sheltered lagoons they originate from and prevents dead spots without creating a stressful, high-energy environment. Their omnivorous diet in the wild consists of algae, copepods, and zooplankton. In captivity, this should be replicated with a varied diet of high-quality marine pellets or flakes, supplemented several times a week with thawed frozen foods like mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and spirulina. This variety is crucial for maintaining their vibrant coloration and overall health. Their social dynamics are a key consideration. They exhibit protandrous hermaphroditism; all are born un-gendered or male, with the most dominant individual in a group transitioning to become the female. Establishing a pair is best done by introducing two juveniles and allowing them to pair off naturally. Introducing a new clownfish to an established individual or pair can result in significant aggression. While they don't require an anemone, their symbiotic relationship is a marvel to observe. If a host anemone is provided (such as Entacmaea quadricolor), the clownfish will often form a bond, using it for shelter and protection. This behavior showcases their fascinating environmental interactions and is a rewarding experience for any dedicated hobbyist.
Scientific Description
Amphiprion ocellaris is a member of the family Pomacentridae, distinguished within the Amphiprioninae subfamily. It is native to the warm waters of the Western Pacific, often found in sheltered lagoons and on coastal reef slopes. Morphologically, it possesses a compressiform, or laterally compressed, body shape which facilitates high maneuverability amongst complex reef structures. It is frequently confused with its close relative, A. percula, but can be differentiated by its typical 11 dorsal fin spines (versus 10 in A. percula) and thinner black outlining on its white body bars. The species' diet classifies it as a generalized omnivore, feeding on a mix of small benthic and pelagic crustaceans, algae, and zooplankton. This dietary flexibility contributes to its successful adaptation to captive environments. The most notable biological characteristic of A. ocellaris is its protandrous hermaphroditism, a social and reproductive strategy where all individuals are born as functional males. Within a social group, a strict size-based dominance hierarchy is maintained. The largest and most dominant individual transitions into a female, forming a monogamous breeding pair with the second-largest male. This reproductive control mechanism maximizes lineage success in their spatially confined habitats. Breeding is moderately achievable in captivity. The pair will engage in courtship displays and clean a flat surface near their host anemone, upon which the female will deposit several hundred demersal eggs. The male then assumes primary responsibility for parental care, fertilizing the clutch and aerating it with his pectoral fins until hatching occurs, typically in 6-8 days depending on temperature. The species' famed symbiosis with sea anemones is a classic example of mutualism. A. ocellaris develops a protective mucus coat, rendering it immune to the anemone's nematocysts. In exchange for protection from predators, the fish may clean the anemone, provide it with nutrients via its waste, and increase water circulation. Its IUCN Red List status as 'Least Concern' (LC) is largely supported by widespread aquaculture, which has significantly reduced collection pressure on wild populations, making it a sustainable model organism for studies in marine symbiosis, social hierarchy, and sex allocation.
