DaVinci Clownfish Grade B (Amphiprion ocellaris)

The DaVinci Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) is what happens when you take the most recognisable fish in the ocean and let the bars run. Instead of three clean white stripes, a DaVinci wears soft, wavy, brush-stroked bands with irregular black outlines, so every single fish is patterned differently. It is a captive-bred designer ocellaris, which means it is hardier than a wild clown, eats prepared food from day one, and takes nothing off the reef. Browse the rest of our saltwater fish.

Under the paintwork it is still an ocellaris: bulletproof, endlessly entertaining, and one of the best first saltwater fish anyone can buy. It does not need an anemone, it stays around three inches, and it will happily host in a rock crevice, a powerhead, or nothing at all.

About Grade B

Sea & Reef grade their DaVinci line by how much the white markings spread and merge. Grade B keeps all three bands distinct, with soft wavy edges and irregular borders, and sometimes two bands fused on one side only. Grade A has two fully fused bands per side, and Extreme has three fused on at least one side.

Practically speaking, a Grade B is the most "clownfish-looking" of the DaVincis: unmistakably a designer fish, but still reading as a clownfish at a glance rather than a white fish with orange patches. It is also the most affordable way into the line, and since the pattern is unique to each individual, no two Grade B DaVincis look the same.

Care Guide

• Tank size: 20 gallons and up for a single fish or a pair. They are not big swimmers and settle into a small territory.
• Diet: omnivore and completely undemanding. A quality marine pellet plus frozen mysis and enriched brine. Captive-bred fish take prepared food immediately, no weaning required.
• Temperament: semi-aggressive in the clownfish way. Peaceful with most tankmates, but it will defend its chosen spot and can bully other clownfish. One clown or one bonded pair per tank.
• Pairing: clownfish are sequential hermaphrodites. The dominant fish becomes female. To make a pair, add a noticeably smaller fish at the same time or shortly after, and let them sort it out. Two similar-sized adults introduced later often fight.
• Anemone not required: nice to watch, but entirely optional. Captive-bred ocellaris frequently ignore anemones and host in a coral, a rock, or a corner of the glass instead.
• Water: 72 to 78°F, salinity 1.020 to 1.025, pH 8.1 to 8.4. Hardy and forgiving, which is why they suit new reefkeepers.
• Reef safe: yes, completely. It will not bother corals or inverts.

Specifications

Compatibility

Excellent with the standard peaceful reef community: Pajama Cardinalfish, firefish, neon gobies, blennies, wrasses, and dottybacks like our Orchid Dottyback. Safe with corals, clams, and every invert.

The one hard rule is other clownfish. Do not add a second clown to an established one unless it is clearly smaller and you are deliberately forming a pair. Two settled adults will fight, and clownfish fights are not posturing. If you want a different clown look alongside it, see our Wyoming White or Black Darwin Ocellaris, but plan for a pair rather than a crowd.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Piscine Energetics 1 mm Saltwater Pellets as the daily staple
• SFBB Frozen Mysis Shrimp for colour and condition
• Browse the full saltwater selection for tankmates and reef supplies

FAQ

What does "fresh out of QT" mean?
Every fish we bring in spends time in our in-store quarantine before reaching the sales floor. We observe it, treat preventatively, and confirm it is eating prepared food. This one just graduated, so it is settled and feeding rather than straight out of a shipping box.

Will it look exactly like the photo?
No, and that is the point. Every DaVinci is patterned differently, which is why they are sold individually. The photo shows the type and grade rather than this specific fish. Come see the actual one in store.

What is the difference between Grade B and Grade A?
How much the white spreads. Grade B keeps three distinct bands with wavy, irregular edges. Grade A has two bands fully fused per side, so it carries noticeably more white. Extreme has three fused. Care is identical across all grades.

Does it need an anemone?
No. Captive-bred ocellaris often ignore anemones entirely and host in a rock, a coral, or a powerhead. An anemone is a nice extra, not a requirement.

Can I add a second clownfish later?
Only if it is clearly smaller, and even then introduce carefully. The larger fish becomes female and the smaller stays male. Adding a similar-sized adult to an established clown usually ends in a serious fight.

Is captive bred actually better?
For clownfish, meaningfully so. They eat prepared food immediately, ship and acclimate better, carry fewer parasites, and no wild reef fish was collected to supply one.