Ocellaris clownfish
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| Ocellaris clownfish | ||||||||||||||
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| Amphiprion ocellaris (Lacépède, 1802) |
The Ocellaris clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) or false Percula clownfish is a popular aquarium fish, even more so after it rose to stardom in Finding Nemo. It is very closely related to the Percula clownfish and often lives in association with the sea anemone Heteractis magnifica, using them for shelter and protection. Generally, Ocellaris clownfish are hardier, and slightly less aggressive than its Percula counterpart. Both species are found in coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific, particularly in the Fiji and Tonga regions.
[edit] Description
This clown anemonefish can be recognised by its orange colour with three white bars and black markings on the fins. It grows to about eight centimeters (three inches) in length. One can differentiate between Percula (true) and Ocellaris (false) by their respective colors and patterns. Ocellaris are usually less vibrantly colored, and have 11 dorsal fin-spines instead of 10, as on the Percula. There is also a rare melanistic variety hailing from the reefs around Darwin, Australia, that is a dark black colour with the normal white stripes. Although not common in the wild, they are becoming more and more popular in the aquarium hobby.
[edit] References
- Amphiprion ocellaris (TSN 615174). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 11 March 2006.
- "Amphiprion ocellaris". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. August 200 version. N.p.: FishBase, 200.
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