Ocellaris Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris)

Description:
An orange-colored clownfish with three white stripes. Black margins are found on the edges of all fins and the borders of the white stripes. The natural population at Darwin have black where there is normally orange, except for the area near the mouth.

Natural Ecology:
This species naturally lives among the tentacles of magnificent anemones (Heteractis magnifica), giant carpet anemones (Stichodactyla gigantea), and carpet anemones (Stichodactyla mertensii). This natural behavior protects wild clownfishes from predators. Proaquatix clownfishes do not require anemone hosts but will accept them if present.

Indigenous To:
Andaman Islands and Nicobar Islands east to Moluccas, northward to Ryukyu Islands, and southward to northwestern Australia.

Behavior:
Like all clownfishes, Amphiprion ocellaris is a sequential hermaphrodite. The largest individual present will exert dominance and become reproductively female. The next largest fish will become reproductively male. Remaining smaller individuals are usually tolerated but will not be reproductively active.

Compatibility:
Usually ignores reef invertebrates and corals. Clownfishes sometimes adopt various corals and algae as substitutes for host anemones.

Food:
Reefsolution specimens have been weaned to take aquarium pellets and flakes. Freshly frozen invertebrates such as ocean plankton, Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and chopped squid will be readily accepted.