Picasso Clownfish Care Guide

Glossary:

Care Guide & Requirements
Reef Safe
Prices
Food & Diet
Facts
Tank Mates & Environment
FAQs

The Picasso clownfish, i.e. Amphiprion percula, is a variety of clownfish that’s a popular option along with many other clownfish species. The fish, as its name suggests, resembles a Picasso painting with its somewhat Cubist look that feels like a more abstract take on the conventional Ocellaris clownfish. It features a bright red body and a yellow-orange head, with white stripes across its body.

This peaceful fish is easy to take care of and can make a great addition to any tank. Here we’ll go over the care requirements for this fish to help you determine whether this fish is right for you.

Is the Picasso clownfish reef safe?

The Picasso clownfish is entirely reef-safe. Their natural habitat is full of anemones that provide protection from potential predators. They’re also peaceful and won’t nip at corals or attack invertebrates.

Picasso clownfish food and diet

Like other clownfish, the Picasso clownfish is omnivorous and easy to feed. You can feed this fish just about anything, including algae, zooplankton, crustaceans, and live or frozen foods. This makes them ideal if you’re looking for a fish that won’t be too choosy with its food or needy when it comes to feeding times.

Picasso clownfish FAQs

How long do Picasso clownfish live?

With proper care, you can expect your Picasso clownfish to live for around three to six years. However, you may be able to extend their life even more with a healthy diet and environment.

What do Picasso clownfish eat?

You can feed the Picasso clownfish a variety of foods, which is why many people like to keep them—they’re far from picky. You can feed your Picasso crustaceans, polychaete worms, algae, pellets, flakes, and live or frozen Mysis and brine shrimp.

Is the Picasso clownfish aggressive?

Generally, the Picasso clownfish is a peaceful fish, making it different from other clownfish species. As a result, you can keep this fish with just about any tankmate imaginable, as long as it’s not with other more aggressive species that are likely to encroach on its territory or attack it.

Picasso clownfish price

The price of a Picasso clownfish is a bit on the higher end for a clownfish, with many stores selling them from around $40 to $100. They’re far from the most expensive, but the price range starts at a higher point than what you would find with, say, a Maroon or Ocellaris clownfish.

Picasso clownfish facts

The following are some facts about the Picasso clownfish worth mentioning:

The Picasso clownfish is a specific species of anemonefish that you’ll find in the Indo-Pacific region, including Papua New Guinea.
The name “Picasso” comes from this fish’s one-of-a-kind patterning that bears resemblance to Pablo Picasso’s famous Cubist painting style.
The Picasso clownfish tends to live around anemones to protect it from potential predators. So, if you’re planning on keeping this fish, you may want to ensure the tank has plenty of anemones to provide some shelter.

What other fish are the best tank mates for the Picasso clownfish?

As one of the easiest fish to get along with, you can keep the Picasso with many other tank mates.

Some of the best tank mates for the Picasso include:

Wrasses
Damselfish
Angelfish
Blennies
Tangs
Gobies
Dartfish

On the other hand, you should avoid keeping this fish with other more aggressive species. For instance, you should keep them away from eels, lionfish, groupers, triggers, and snappers. Additionally, you should keep them away from other clownfish unless there’s plenty of space for each fish to claim its own territory.

You can keep more than one Picasso in the same tank, but it’s best if they’re far apart from each other or breeding pairs that won’t compete for space.

Where to buy Picasso clownfish

You’ll be able to buy a Picasso clownfish from many online stores, including the following:

For a colorful but easy-to-maintain fish, the Picasso clownfish is a great option. This fish will make a great complement to the rest of your tank and it’s far from expensive to add.