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FishbeginnerSaltwater

Ocellaris Clownfish

Amphiprion ocellaris

AnimaliaChordataActinopterygiiPomacentridae

📍 Indo-Pacific & Eastern Indian Ocean

Ask Finn

The iconic clownfish made famous by Finding Nemo. Hardy, peaceful, and symbiotic with anemones. Excellent beginner saltwater fish.

Size3.5"
Min Tank20g
School2+
semi-aggressive
Zonemid

Care Guide

Diet

Ocellaris clownfish are omnivores that thrive on a varied diet of high-quality marine flakes, small pellets, and frozen foods like brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and copepods. Feed once daily in small portions that can be consumed within 2-3 minutes. They will also graze on algae and detritus, and benefit from occasional live food to stimulate natural feeding behavior.

Behavior

These iconic fish are generally peaceful and curious, spending much of their time near their host anemone or designated shelter. They exhibit strong pair bonding and will defend their territory from other clownfish, though they tolerate most other reef inhabitants. Juveniles are more active swimmers, while adults become more sedentary and anemone-focused.

Breeding

Breeding in captivity is moderately difficult but achievable with proper conditioning and a well-established pair. They are egg-layers that will spawn on flat surfaces near their anemone; eggs hatch in 7-8 days and fry require specialized rearing with copepod-sized foods. Success requires excellent water quality, stable conditions, and patience with larval rearing.

Common Diseases

Ich (White Spot Disease)

Symptoms

White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against surfaces

Treatment

Raise temperature to 28-29°C, increase aeration, use copper-free ich treatment or hyposalinity therapy; quarantine if possible

Fin Rot

Symptoms

Frayed or deteriorating fin edges, discoloration at fin margins, progressive fin loss

Treatment

Improve water quality, perform frequent water changes, use antibiotic treatments if bacterial; remove sharp tank décor

Velvet Disease

Symptoms

Fine golden or rust-colored dust on body, rapid breathing, loss of appetite, scratching behavior

Treatment

Quarantine immediately, raise temperature to 28-29°C, use copper-based or formalin treatments; maintain excellent water quality

Anemone Damage/Stress

Symptoms

Clownfish refusing to host anemone, visible injuries, anemone bleaching or retraction

Treatment

Ensure anemone is healthy and well-fed; provide proper lighting and flow; may need to acclimate clownfish to anemone gradually

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Quick Facts

pH
8.1–8.4
diet
omnivore
maxSize
3.5 inches
lighting
moderate to high
salinity
1.023–1.025 SG
minTankSize
20 gallons
temperature
75–81°F (24–27°C)

Temperature

75–81°F

24–27°C

Stats

Community tips0
Kept by0 hobbyists