Identity and search names

Common name
Ocellaris clownfish
Scientific name
Amphiprion ocellaris
Other names
Ocellaris clownfish, False percula clownfish, Common clownfish, Western clown anemonefish, Amphiprion bicolor
Category
Marine fish
Group
Clownfishes
Origin
Indo-Pacific reefs, including Australian waters
Review outcome
REVIEWED

Environment and housing

Environment
Marine
Care level
Easy to moderate
Adult size
Up to about 9.5 cm total length
Expected lifespan
Not reliably quantified in strong species-specific aquarium sources; plan for a long-term multi-year commitment
Minimum housing
At least 75 L for a pair, with more room in a mixed community
Temperature
22–26 °C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness or minerals
8–12 dKH with stable calcium and magnesium
Salinity
Full marine; specific gravity 1.023–1.026
Lighting
Normal reef lighting with shaded retreats where appropriate
Social structure
Single fish or bonded pair
Placement or swimming zone
Lower to middle water around a chosen territory
Temperament
Generally peaceful for a clownfish but territorial when spawning
Compatibility
Keep a single fish or compatible pair; avoid casual mixing with other clownfish and do not assume a host anemone removes territorial aggression.
Habitat structure
Provide caves and a stable territory; a host anemone is not required.

Feeding and nutrition

Diet
Quality marine omnivore foods, crustaceans and algae-rich items
Feeding frequency
One or two small meals daily

Breeding and reproduction

Breeding or reproduction
Demersal eggs laid on cleaned hard substrate
Parental care
Male guards and fans the eggs

System demands

Filtration
Use mature marine biological filtration, effective mechanical export and protein skimming sized for the full adult fish group and feeding load. Keep intakes safe and maintain flow without preventing normal swimming or shelter use.
Aeration
Maintain high dissolved oxygen through strong surface movement, skimming and circulation. Increase gas exchange during heat, medication, transport recovery, heavy feeding or any ammonia event.
Maintenance
Track salinity, temperature, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH; remove uneaten food and detritus, service mechanical media and make small salinity- and temperature-matched water changes.

Detailed husbandry

Identity scope
Species-level profile for Amphiprion ocellaris. It is not interchangeable with Amphiprion percula, despite overlapping common names and colour patterns.
Adult size and space
Expected adult size: Up to about 9.5 cm total length. Permanent housing: At least 75 L for a pair, with more room in a mixed community. Adult dimensions, swimming or turning needs, social territory and oxygen demand matter more than juvenile sale size.
Social structure
Single fish or bonded pair
Placement or swimming zone
Primary occupied zone: Lower to middle water around a chosen territory. Keep this zone usable and provide appropriate refuge, flow, feeding access and a secure cover.
Feeding ecology
Quality marine omnivore foods, crustaceans and algae-rich items
Feeding plan
One or two small meals daily
Water stability
Operate within 22–26 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, 8–12 dKH with stable calcium and magnesium, and Full marine; specific gravity 1.023–1.026. Correct measured drift gradually unless an acute toxic emergency requires immediate action.
Adult projected load
A single adult produces a modest absolute waste load, but small water volume can change quickly. Stocking must reserve oxygen and filtration capacity for feeding peaks and emergencies.
Filtration
Use mature biological filtration, effective mechanical solids removal and protein skimming sized above the planned adult load. Protect intakes and preserve stable salinity and alkalinity during maintenance.
Aeration
Maintain continuous surface agitation and distributed circulation with no stagnant refuge. Use protected pumps and keep battery-backed or independent emergency aeration available.
Maintenance
Inspect feeding, respiration and behaviour daily; clean mechanical media before trapped waste decomposes; test salinity, alkalinity and nitrogen waste on a schedule; and use regular matched-temperature water changes.
Habitat structure
Provide caves and a stable territory; a host anemone is not required.
Compatibility plan
Keep a single fish or compatible pair; avoid casual mixing with other clownfish and do not assume a host anemone removes territorial aggression.
Breeding plan
Demersal eggs laid on cleaned hard substrate
Quarantine
Quarantine in a separate, fully cycled marine system with dedicated equipment and species-appropriate shelter or sand. Confirm sustained feeding, normal respiration, intact skin and fins, normal waste and stable behaviour before introduction.
Welfare checks
Do not add an unsuitable anemone to an immature aquarium merely for visual effect.
Biosecurity and release
Never release marine fish, aquarium water, live rock, substrate or equipment rinse-water into waterways or the sea. Before import to Australia, verify the exact accepted scientific name and current permitted-list and BICON conditions; an import permit, approved source country and approved isolation arrangements may be required. In South Australia, do not move or dispose of aquarium fish into waterways without authorisation, and check current state noxious-species, movement and holding rules.
Main risk
Amphiprion ocellaris is frequently confused with A. percula. Identity uses several characters, including dorsal-fin structure and typical black edging, not one photograph or trade label.
Overridable warnings
Warnings are decision support, not permission to ignore welfare limits. Override only with specimen-specific evidence, equivalent risk controls and a recorded reason; never override legal, biosecurity or no-release requirements.

Welfare and risk

Welfare checks
Do not add an unsuitable anemone to an immature aquarium merely for visual effect.
Main warning
Amphiprion ocellaris is frequently confused with A. percula. Identity uses several characters, including dorsal-fin structure and typical black edging, not one photograph or trade label.
Biosecurity
Never release marine fish, aquarium water, live rock, substrate or equipment rinse-water into waterways or the sea. Before import to Australia, verify the exact accepted scientific name and current permitted-list and BICON conditions; an import permit, approved source country and approved isolation arrangements may be required. In South Australia, do not move or dispose of aquarium fish into waterways without authorisation, and check current state noxious-species, movement and holding rules.

Sources

Source note

Current identity or scope, husbandry, system-demand, welfare and Australian biosecurity evidence checked; active retired-source links removed; all AquaNexus wording is original.

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