Ocellaris Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris)

The Ocellaris Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) is the classic orange, white, and black clownfish that made the world fall in love with saltwater aquariums. Hardy, peaceful, and fully reef-safe, it is widely considered the best first fish for a marine tank, and its bold personality and wiggly swimming style keep it entertaining for veteran reefers too. Browse the rest of our saltwater livestock and supplies to build the perfect reef around it.

Care Guide

• Tank size: 20 gallons or larger for a single fish or a bonded pair. Ocellaris stay small and tend to claim one area of the tank rather than roaming.
• Water parameters: 72 to 78°F, pH 8.0 to 8.4, salinity 1.020 to 1.026, dKH 8 to 12. Steady parameters matter more than chasing exact numbers.
• Aquascape: open swimming space with rockwork to shelter near. A lid is a smart precaution, especially while a new fish settles in.
• Feeding: enthusiastic omnivore. Feed once or twice daily with a quality marine pellet plus frozen foods like PE Mysis and brine shrimp.
• Pairing: clownfish are protandrous hermaphrodites. Add two juveniles together and the larger, more dominant fish becomes the female of a bonded pair.

Specifications

Compatibility

Ocellaris Clownfish are model citizens in a peaceful community or reef tank. Great tank mates include the Firefish Goby, Royal Gramma, Blue Green Chromis, Banggai Cardinal, and cleanup crew inverts like the Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp. Keep only one clownfish species per tank; mixing species or adding a third clown usually leads to bullying. An anemone is optional, but a settled pair will often adopt a bubble tip anemone as a host.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Piscine Energetics PE Mysis frozen food
• Xtreme Marine PeeWee Pellets
• Vitalis Marine Grazing Pellets
• Green Bulb Anemone or Snowflake Bulb Anemone host options
• HELLOREEF Clownfish & Anemone Aquarium Kit for a first clownfish setup

FAQ

Does my clownfish need an anemone?
No. Ocellaris do perfectly well without one and many never see an anemone in their lives. If you want the full Nemo experience, a bubble tip anemone is the easiest host to keep, once your tank is mature and stable.

Can I keep two together?
Yes, a pair is the ideal way to keep them. Add two at the same time and they will sort out the female and male roles on their own. Avoid adding a third or mixing clownfish species.

Is it reef safe?
Completely. Ocellaris will not bother corals or invertebrates. A hosting clown may wallow in soft corals, which can annoy the coral but does no lasting harm.

How long do they live?
With good care an Ocellaris Clownfish routinely lives well over a decade, so plan for a long friendship.