| Common Name: |
False Percula Clownfish |
| Scientific Name: |
Amphiprion ocellaris |
| Size: |
~ 2.5 - 3" |
| Origin: |
Indo-Pacific |
| Natural Habitat: |
Normally associates with hosts such as anemones. They
will also take up residence in leather corals, Xenia and Goniopora. Can be territorial at
times with other fish and their own species. It is not uncommon for these fish to
reproduce in captivity. |
| Feeding Requirements: |
Various foods accepted: live & frozen brine shrimp, flake
foods and other meaty type foods readily accepted. |
Difficulty Rating:
(1 = easy - 5 = hard) |
1 - Very hardy. Great beginner's fish. |
Aggressiveness Rating:
(1 = shy - 5 = nasty) |
2 - Can be territorial and fight among their own species
and other fish but usually cause no harm. They are protective of their own piece of
reef and will protect it forcefully when a clutch of eggs are present. |
| Captive Requirements: |
Temperature range: 76 - 82° F. Specific gravity: 1.023-1.026.
Can be kept singly, in pairs or in groups. Does not require an anemone or surrogate
host to thrive. Sheltered areas are not required but welcomed. Easily
adapts to poor or degrading water quality, but this is not recommended for any fish. |
| Optional Requirements: |
Although not required these fish have been known to live in
the safety of the Stichodactyla haddoni anemone, Stichodactyla gigantea anemone and the
Herteractis crispa anemone. Even though these fish have been seen living in these
anemones, it does not mean that all of them will have the same relationship in
captivity. One must also remember that anemones have special
requirements of their own which need to be met in order for the both the clownfish and the
anemone to thrive. |
| Reef Tank Compatible: |
Yes - Can irritate some corals that they decide to take
residence in but normally does not cause long-term damage. |
| Notes: |
Captive-bred specimens are recommended, and typically A. ocellaris pairs are known to easily breed in captivity. Amphiprion ocellaris and A. percula are often incorrectly identified and are also easily confused. The black and white color morphs of A. ocellaris are frequently sold as Black Perculas, but they are, in fact, A. ocellaris from Australia (photo below).
I have found these to be very hardy and easy to keep.
I have kept these fish in my 75-gallon reef tank since March of 1998 and have been very
happy with them. They are good looking fish and have nice personalities. They
are very bold when feeding and will always be the first at the top of the tank at feeding
time. They are not shy and will bite the hair on my arms whenever I work
on the tank. I originally had four of these fish but one of them decided
to carpet surf when I was working on the tank one night, so use caution with uncovered
tanks. They have taken residence in multiple corals including my Finger leather,
Goniopora, Alveopora, and Toadstool leathers without causing any noticeable damage to any
of the corals. |
| Further Reading: |
Time to Quit Clownin' Around: The Subfamily Amphiprioninae by Henry C. Schultz III. |
