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Ocellaris Clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Pomacentridae
📍 Indo-Pacific & Eastern Indian Ocean
The iconic clownfish made famous by Finding Nemo. Hardy, peaceful, and symbiotic with anemones. Excellent beginner saltwater fish.
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.
Tank Mates
Symbiotic relationship; shrimp clean parasites and debris from clownfish
Compatible in larger tanks; may form associations similar to wild behavior
Peaceful cleaner fish that poses no threat to clownfish
Peaceful bottom-dweller that occupies different tank zone
Algae grazer that helps maintain tank cleanliness without competing
Common Diseases
Ich (White Spot Disease)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against surfaces
Raise temperature to 28-29°C, increase aeration, use copper-free ich treatment or hyposalinity therapy; quarantine if possible
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fin edges, discoloration at fin margins, progressive fin loss
Improve water quality, perform frequent water changes, use antibiotic treatments if bacterial; remove sharp tank décor
Velvet Disease
Fine golden or rust-colored dust on body, rapid breathing, loss of appetite, scratching behavior
Quarantine immediately, raise temperature to 28-29°C, use copper-based or formalin treatments; maintain excellent water quality
Anemone Damage/Stress
Clownfish refusing to host anemone, visible injuries, anemone bleaching or retraction
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