Ocellaris clownfish

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Emblem of the tropical coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific (northern Australia, Southeast Asia). Lives in shallow coastal waters and lagoons, in an obligate symbiotic relationship with specific anemones (Heteractis magnifica, Stichodactyla gigantea and S. mertensii).

Taxonomy and Morphology: Common Clownfish (Ocellaris or False Percula, Pomacentridae family). Unmistakable, stocky and round morphology. Large bright golden-orange eye (which distinguishes it from the Percula). In the aquarium females reach 9-11 cm (3.5-4.5 inches), males are about half the size.

Social Behavior: Territorial but adorable. Spends entire days diving and rubbing among the poisonous tentacles of its anemone, immunized by its dense layer of mucus. If there are no predators and there is an anemone, it will refuse to swim freely in the water column.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: The icon of "Nemo". Neon orange body crossed by three white stripes bordered by a very thin black line. All Clownfish are born male (protandric hermaphroditism). The dominant and largest fish in the group will irreversibly become a female.

Aquarium Setup: Very suitable even for nano-reefs of 60-80 liters (15-20 gallons) if kept in a pair. In the aquarium they DO NOT need an anemone (which is actually very delicate to keep). In its absence, they will choose fleshy LPS corals (Euphyllia, Goniopora, Catalaphyllia) or even, out of desperation, the corners of the glass or heaters as their home.

Diet and Feeding: Planktivorous and omnivorous micro-predator. Embarrassingly easy to feed: devours without hesitation flake or granule feeds, chopped krill, fish eggs, mysis, brine shrimp and copepods. Feeding them 2-3 times a day in small portions encourages frequent spawning.

Water Quality: The marine fish for beginners par excellence, very strong. Adapts to less than perfect conditions (within marine limits). Salinity SG 1.020-1.025, temperatures of 24-27°C (75-81°F). Once acclimatized, it is very robust to minor salinity fluctuations.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Reef safe and calm. The problem arises towards conspecifics: in normal tanks strictly host ONLY ONE formed pair to avoid massacres; mixing various species of Clownfish is lethal. The female will furiously defend the anemone/coral, biting the aquarist's fingers.

Aquarium Reproduction: Assiduously achieved in captivity (commercial breeding). They lay plaques of orange eggs on a clean rock at the base of the anemone. The larvae hatch at night and amateur rearing (with live rotifers and phytoplankton) is possible with dedicated small tanks.

Risks and Diseases: Frequent victims of "Brooklynella hostilis" (Clownfish Disease), a parasite that dissolves their thick layer of mucus killing them by skin suffocation in a few days if not treated immediately. Do not tolerate direct and violent currents from wavemakers.