Ocellaris

Name:
Ocellaris Clownfish


Scientific Name:
Amphiprion ocellaris


Maximum Size:
4” (10 cm)

s&r-ocellaris-clownfish
Description

The Ocellaris Clownfish is the most familiar species of clownfish and was made famous in the Disney movie “Finding Nemo”. It is bright orange with three white stripes. All white stripes are outlined with a narrow black edging and the fins typically have a thicker black edging. This species is often confused with the Percula clownfish (Amphiprion percula). Ocellaris clownfish have characteristics that are different from A. percula, including a more narrow black edging outlining the white stripes, black iris of their eyes (compared to an orange iris in A. percula) and 10-11 spines of the first dorsal fin (compared to 9-10 dorsal fin spines in A. percula).

Distribution

Widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific Ocean including Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia and Southeast Asia.

Temperament & Captive Care

The Ocellaris clownfish is a perfect beginner fish. It is peaceful and hardy. No other clownfish is as easily recognized as this charismatic fish. They are easy to care for and every pet store that sells saltwater fish will have them readily available. They thrive in saltwater aquariums with or without an anemone present.

Feeding

Ocellaris clownfish have a healthy appetite. Most clownfish are omnivorous feeders, meaning that they will consume a variety of different food types. In nature the diet of clownfish consists of crustaceans (such as copepods and amphipods), algae, polychaete worms and leftovers from the anemone’s meal. Our captive bred fish are conditioned to eat a variety of aquarium diets including pellets, flake food, frozen Mysis shrimp, and frozen brine shrimp.

Natural Host Anemones

In their natural environment ocellaris clownfish will host in Magnificent Sea Anemone (Heteractis magnifica), Giant Carpet Sea Anemone (Stichodactyla gigantean) and Merten's Carpet Sea Anemone (Stichodactyla mertensii).

Aquarium Host Anemones

Clownfish do not require host anemones to survive or thrive. However, in most cases they will readily accept them. Ocellaris will accept a wide variety of host anemones and many hobbyists keep Ocellaris clownfish with the popular and hardy Bubble Tip Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor).