The Ocellaris clownfish, or Amphiprion ocellaris, is among the most popular species out there today. It has a signature orange body with white vertical stripes, a look that media like the film Finding Nemo have popularized even further. They’re mainly popular because of their ease of care and colorful addition to any aquarium.
If you’re wondering whether the Ocellaris clownfish is right for your tank, this care guide should help you make your decision.
Generally, Ocellaris clownfish are entirely reef-safe and won’t attack your coral or invertebrates. However, they may seek corals as a substitute for an anemone if your tank lacks anemones, but this won’t cause harm to your tank in most cases. As long as the fish doesn’t spend too much time around the coral, this behavior isn’t likely to harm your coral.
You can feed an Ocellaris clownfish various foods as omnivores. Feed them everything from live food and frozen meats to pellets and flakes—it’s all fair game. To ensure your clownfish stay healthy, feed them once per day at a minimum.
Once they become adults, Ocellaris clownfish get to about three inches in length.
As a docile species, the Ocellaris clownfish tends to get along well with other species of fish, but be careful when adding more than one clownfish to your tank. Although two or more Ocellaris clownfish may be able to coexist peaceful, they may get into fights with other species of clownfish. If you plan on keeping multiple clownfish species together, keep an eye on them and watch for any aggressive behavior from the Ocellaris or other species.
The Ocellaris tends to be somewhat aggressive toward other species of clownfish, but they’re by far one of the least aggressive species of clownfish you’ll find. Generally, they do tend to get slightly more aggressive as they get older or when kept in male/female pairs coupled with an anemone.
You won’t have to pay much to get an Ocellaris clownfish. These fish are on the market for anywhere from around $20 to $50. They’re also widely available, so you shouldn’t have a problem finding one to add to your tank.
The following are a few facts about the Ocellaris clownfish that may surprise you:
The Ocellaris clownfish is somewhat aggressive in some cases, but you won’t typically find this fish picking fights with others. It’s compatible with many potential tank mates if you want to maintain a colorful blend of fish in your tank.
Some examples of viable tank mates for the Ocellaris clownfish include:
Just be careful about adding other species of clownfish to your tank, as they don’t tend to get along very well with Ocellaris.
The Ocellaris clownfish is an easy fish to acquire and maintain, making it a great buy for many aquarists.