Ocellaris clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
Ocellaris clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) is a marine species with an adult-size reference of about 11 cm. It needs at least 120 litres and one individual, with its social and territorial profile taken into account.
Température de l’eau
24 - 28 °C
Valeur du pH
8.1 - 8.4
Type d'eau
Marin
Niveau dans le bac
Fond et milieu
Taille adulte
11 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 120 L
Groupe minimal
>= 1
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: A marine species; the enclosure should provide stability, oxygenation, space and shelter consistent with its behaviour without turning one habitat description into a mandatory recipe.
Taxonomy and Morphology: The accepted scientific name is Amphiprion ocellaris; the verified classification records genus Amphiprion, family Pomacentridae, subfamily Amphiprioninae, order Perciformes. Historical names remain searchable as synonyms rather than separate species.
Social Behavior: Ocellaris clownfish can be kept alone or in a compatible pair or group. The minimum reference is one individual; sex, maturity and available space can require a more conservative composition. Observe access to food, resting behaviour, chasing and use of shelter. Isolation, persistent competition or aggression means the number, composition or environment needs to be corrected.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Colour and shape can vary with age, sex, physiological state and environmental conditions. Identification and sexing require recognized species-level characters; one appearance or photograph is not enough.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: Ocellaris clownfish needs an aquarium of at least 120 litres, sized for adult body size and a minimum group of one individual. Filtration, shelter and swimming room must match the species and the actual number kept. Volume alone does not make an enclosure suitable: tank shape and length, usable area, oxygenation and the ability to separate territories must reflect adult behaviour.
Diet and Feeding: The recorded diet is omnivorous. Offer appropriately sized foods varied within that category, and adjust quantity and frequency from actual intake, body condition and leftovers. One food or a fixed schedule is not suitable for every age and situation.
Water Quality: Maintain stable, well-oxygenated water appropriate to a marine species; the card's reference values are 24–28 °C, pH 8.1–8.4. Verify conditions with reliable tests and size maintenance and filtration to the actual load. Ranges are not automatic thresholds for treatment or rapid chemical correction.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: The cohabitation profile is reef-safe with caution, with a generally territorial temperament. Keep at least one individual; tankmates, stocking density and decor must allow escape, rest and feeding without excessive competition. Watch interactions especially during feeding, maturity and breeding. Persistent chasing, injury or exclusion from food requires a change in stocking or layout, or separation of the animals.
Aquarium Breeding: The recorded reproductive profile is “oviparity”. Breeding should be attempted only with healthy adults, separation capacity and a plan for eggs or young. Do not treat unverified triggers, sex ratios or hatch times as universal for this species.
Risks and Diseases: Use a secure cover and close escape gaps. Prevent problems through quarantine of new arrivals, stable water, appropriate feeding and daily observation. Similar signs can have different causes, so check parameters, history and diagnosis before medication. Follow the product label and qualified aquatic-veterinary advice; there is no universal reduced dose for a species or family.
Origine et répartition géographiques
A marine species; the enclosure should provide stability, oxygenation, space and shelter consistent with its behaviour without turning one habitat description into a mandatory recipe.
Origine
Océans tropicaux et récifs
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Territorial
- Ocellaris clownfish has a generally territorial temperament. Insufficient space, an unsuitable social ratio or incompatible tankmates can substantially change observed behaviour.
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- Amphiprion ocellaris is an omnivorous species that feeds on a wide range of foods in the wild, including zooplankton, small invertebrates, and algae. In the aquarium, they are generally eager feeders and accept high-quality commercial dry flakes and pellets. Their diet should be regularly supplemented with frozen foods like mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and chopped seafood to support their coloration and immune system. Incorporating some plant-based foods, such as spirulina, ensures they receive a balanced nutritional profile.
- Espérance de vie
- 10-15 years
- Taille adulte
- 11 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- Flexible
- Ocellaris clownfish can be kept alone or in a compatible pair or group. The reference minimum is one individual and must not be read as permission to overcrowd the aquarium.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- For optimal health and active behavior, Amphiprion ocellaris should be fed small portions two to three times daily. Feeding multiple small meals mimics their natural foraging behavior and prevents excess food from decaying on the substrate. The quantity offered during each feeding should be consumed entirely within two to three minutes. This consistent feeding schedule helps maintain stable energy levels and reduces overall food waste, supporting water quality.
- Charge biologique
- Low to Medium
- Amphiprion ocellaris is a relatively small marine fish, which translates to a low-medium biological waste production. However, because they are often kept in reef environments or alongside hosting anemones, high water quality is essential. A robust filtration system, including a reliable protein skimmer and regular water changes, is highly recommended to manage nutrients. This ensures that nitrate and phosphate levels remain low, protecting both the fish and their delicate invertebrate companions.
- Courant
- Strong
- This species prefers moderate water flow in the aquarium, which allows them to swim naturally without being pushed around. Because they are not exceptionally strong swimmers compared to open-ocean species, they need areas with calmer currents to rest. A setup with moderate flow is also ideal if keeping host anemones, which require decent water movement to thrive. Position powerheads to create a mix of active water movement and sheltered zones near their favorite resting spots.
- Risque de saut
- Yes
- While not notoriously active jumpers like wrasses or gobies, Amphiprion ocellaris can and will jump out of the aquarium if startled, stressed, or pursued by aggressive tank mates. This risk is particularly high during the acclimation period or when introducing new fish. To prevent tragic accidents, a secure, tight-fitting lid or a mesh screen top is highly recommended for the aquarium. Ensuring adequate hiding spots within the rockwork also reduces the likelihood of startle-induced jumping.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding Amphiprion ocellaris in captivity is highly achievable and is one of the most common success stories in the marine hobby. They form dedicated breeding pairs and lay eggs on flat surfaces near their host, which the male then aggressively guards and fans. The eggs hatch in about 7 to 10 days, typically shortly after the aquarium lights turn off. Raising the fry requires a separate larval tank and a continuous supply of live rotifers as their initial food source.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Reef safe with caution
- The cohabitation profile is reef-safe with caution, with a generally territorial temperament. Keep at least one individual; tankmates, stocking density and decor must allow escape, rest and feeding without excessive competition. Watch interactions especially during feeding, maturity and breeding. Persistent chasing, injury or exclusion from food requires a change in stocking or layout, or separation of the animals.
- Niveau dans le bac
- Middle/Bottom
- In the aquarium, Amphiprion ocellaris generally occupies the bottom to middle zones, centering their activity around a designated host site. If an anemone or suitable coral host is present, they will rarely venture far from its protective tentacles. Without a host, they may explore all levels of the aquarium, though they still prefer areas near live rock structures for shelter. Providing plenty of rockwork helps them establish a secure home base in their preferred depth zone.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase Catalog curation 2026-05-09Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 3,1 ± 0,36 se
- Résilience
- Élevée (moins de 15 mois)
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.01445, b = 3
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible (10 / 100)
Galerie d'images
Images sous licence liées à l'espèce ou, lorsqu'elles sont indiquées, au taxon représentatif le plus proche.
Espèces associées
Recommandations regroupées par proches parents, compagnons et soins similaires.
