Orange Skunk Clownfish (Amphiprion sandaracinos)

The Orange Skunk Clownfish (Amphiprion sandaracinos) is a hardy, peaceful clownfish wrapped in warm orange with a single clean white stripe running along its back from nose to tail. Beginner-friendly and reef-safe, it's one of the gentlest clowns in the hobby and a brilliant pop of color for any saltwater aquarium. Build out your reef with more of our saltwater livestock.

Care Guide

• Care level: Beginner, exceptionally hardy, especially captive-bred specimens.
• Minimum tank size: 20 gallons of established saltwater.
• Water temperature: 72 to 78°F.
• pH: 8.1 to 8.4.
• Salinity: 1.020 to 1.025 specific gravity.
• Reef safe: Yes, safe with corals and invertebrates.
• Temperament: Peaceful; one of the most easygoing clownfish species.
• Host anemone: Not required to thrive, but in the wild this species associates with carpet anemones (Stichodactyla) and Heteractis crispa.

Specifications

Compatibility

Orange Skunk Clownfish are peaceful and reef-safe, making them ideal for community reef tanks. Good companions include:

• Peaceful reef fish such as the Royal Gramma, Firefish Goby, Banggai Cardinalfish, gobies, blennies, and small wrasses
• Corals and reef invertebrates, including the Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, snails, and hermit crabs
• A host anemone if you would like to see natural symbiosis, such as our Green Bulb Anemone or Snowflake Bulb Anemone (optional)

Keep only one clownfish species per tank: a single specimen or a bonded same-species pair. Avoid mixing with aggressive clowns like maroons, since this is one of the gentlest clownfish and loses those fights. Also steer clear of large predators that may view a small clown as food. If you want a bolder-patterned clown instead, compare our Ocellaris, Black Ice, and Flurry Clownfish.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Piscine Energetics PE Mysis nutrient-rich frozen staple
• Freeze-Dried Mysis Shrimp protein-packed favorite
• Red Sea Salt Mix for clean, consistent water changes
• Seachem Prime to dechlorinate and detoxify new water
• Browse all saltwater livestock for tank mates

FAQ

Does the Orange Skunk Clownfish need an anemone?
No. It does not require a host anemone to stay healthy. If you provide a compatible carpet anemone, it may host in it, but it will do perfectly well without one.

Is it reef safe?
Yes, it will not harm corals or invertebrates, making it a great fit for reef aquariums.

Can I keep more than one clownfish?
Keep a single specimen or a bonded pair of the same species. Mixing different clownfish species in one tank usually leads to aggression.

What does it eat?
An omnivore. Feed a varied diet of marine pellets, frozen mysis and brine shrimp, and some algae-based foods.