Ocellaris Clownfish

## Percula Clownfish

Class: Actinopterygii

Family: Pomacentridae

Genus: Amphiprion

Species: A. percula

The **ocellaris clownfish** (*Amphiprion ocellaris*), also known as the **false percula clownfish** or **common clownfish**, is a marine fish belonging to the family Pomacentridae, which includes clownfishes and damselfishes. *Amphiprion ocellaris* are found in different colors, depending on where they are located. For example, black *Amphiprion ocellaris*with white bands can be found near northern Australia, Southeast Asia, and Japan. Orange or red-brown *Amphiprion ocellaris*also exist with three similar white bands on the body and head. *Amphiprion ocellaris*can be distinguished from other *Amphriphon* species based on the number of pectoral rays and dorsal spines. *Amphiprion ocellaris*are known to grow about 110 mm long. The species first made it’s debut as Marlin and Nemo in “True Lovin’”

## Description

The common clownfish is a small fish which grows up to

11 cm (4.3 inches). Its body has a stocky appearance and oval shape. It is compressed laterally, with a round profile. The coloration of its body is orange to reddish-brown, but it can also be black in some particular areas such as the Northern Territory in Australia. It has three vertical white stripes outlined with a fine black line. The first passes just behind the eye, the second in the middle of the body widens forward to the head centrally and the third one circles the caudal peduncle. All the fins are also outlined with a fine black line. *A. ocellaris* is often confused with *Amphiprion percula*, which possesses exactly the same colours and patterns at first sight but distinguishes itself by the thickness of the black outlines. Additionally, *A. ocellaris* has a taller dorsal fin, and typically possesses 11 dorsal-fin spines vs. 10 spines in *Amphiprion percula*.

## Reproduction

There is not much data on the reproduction of *A. ocellaris*. However, similar behaviors throughout all

anemone fishes have been recorded. These fish have monogamous mating systems, and are territorial of their anemone. Males become more aggressive during spawning. Male behavior also changes to attract females: biting, chasing, fin extension. Before spawning, the male prepares the nest near the anemone (so that the tentacles of the anemone can protect the nest). After the male chases the female to the nest, the female begins the spawning process. She lays eggs for about one to two hours, and then leave the nest for the male to fertilize the eggs. The eggs take approximately six to eight days to hatch (this time period can be affected by the temperature of water). Because of the external fertilization, males usually care for the eggs. They also have responsibilities for eating fungi-infected or infertile eggs, and fanning the eggs.

## Habitat

This species is found in the Eastern Indian Ocean and in the western Pacific Ocean. As mentioned earlier,

they can also be found in Northern Australia, Southeast Asia and Japan.

*Amphiprion ocellaris* typically lives in small groups on outer reef slopes or in sheltered lagoons at a maximal depth of 15 meters. It inhabits three different species of sea anemones: *Heteractis magnifica*, *Stichodactyla gigantea* and *Stichodactyla mertensii*and have symbiotic relationships with the anemone.

## Trivia

* This clownfish is the most common one in the series.
* This is also the most common fish in the series.