Last updated on August 23rd, 2022 at 02:06 am
The Amphiprion percula, or orange clownfish, is a popular species of saltwater fish found in the Pacific and Indian Oceans and in parts of the Caribbean Sea and the Red Sea.
Not only are they pretty to look at, but they’re also relatively easy to care for as long as you do it right! They’re one of the most well-known types of saltwater fish, and they’re hardy enough to thrive in tanks that many other species would find too cramped or too challenging.
The Amphiprion percula (orange clownfish) has become one of the most popular saltwater aquarium fish on the market. These beautiful creatures make up the family of Amphiprionine clownfish, and they are very popular in aquariums because of their unique coloration and relatively easy-care requirements.
They are tropical marine fish with many unique features that make them a popular choice for aquarium owners. Not only are they easy to care for and hardy, but they have stunning coloration and interesting behaviors that make them fun to watch as well.
If you’re interested in keeping this fish in your tank, here are some things to know about caring for this colorful species.
Origin
The Amphiprion percula, orange clownfish, are native to the Pacific and Indian Oceans, where they can be found living in lagoons and coral reefs around Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea. They can also be found in other parts of the world, having been introduced by humans to areas such as the Mediterranean Sea, Hawaii, Japan, Bermuda, and the Atlantic coast of North America.
Species profile
Amphiprion percula belong to the family of fish known as anemone fishes (Pomacentridae). These fish have a symbiotic relationship with sea anemones and live in their tentacles. They are very popular species of marine fish, due to their bright orange coloration and hardy nature.
They are easy to care for in captivity and will readily breed if given proper living conditions. This makes them one of the most sought-after saltwater aquarium fish by hobbyists.
In their natural habitat, they can be found at depths between 0-30 meters (0-100 feet). They inhabit coral reefs where they stay close to host anemones during daylight hours. At night they venture out into open water, hunting for food.
Common name
The scientific name of the Amphiprion percula is orange clownfish
Habitat
In its natural habitat, Amphiprion percula live in depths of 6–30 feet (1.8–9.1 m). In captivity, they can be kept at a depth of 2–15 feet (0.6–4.5 m). The tank should not have an overflow, as they can jump out of an uncovered aquarium or vase!
They will also eat any fish smaller than themselves, so it is best to keep them with other Amphiprion percula and/or larger fish that are too big to fit into their mouths. They are also territorial and will fight with others of their own kind; it is best to keep only one per tank unless you are breeding them.
Amphiprion percula size
Amphiprion percula can grow to a maximum size of 4.3 inches (11 cm) in total length, but on average, they are 3.1 inches (8 cm).
Tank size
Due to their size, the minimum recommended tank size is 20 gallons (76 liters).
Tank requirements
Amphiprion percula needs a tank at least 20 gallons in size. Because they are very active, and they need lots of space, so make sure you have plenty of rockwork available to create many hiding places and crevices.
In addition to these rockwork features, you’ll also need some artificial coral and/or live coral for your fish to hide behind. If you want to keep more than one Amphiprion percula together, plan on providing them with even more rockwork and coral because they do not like sharing their home with other fish.
When creating caves for your pets, try to avoid any that will trap food inside; if there is food trapped inside a cave, it can rot and cause problems with water quality. The aquarium should be well-lit (plenty of sunlight) and provide good circulation.
Your Amphiprion percula needs a heater set to 78 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius). The pH level should be between 8.1 and 8.4, while salinity should be kept between 1.020-1.025 specific gravity (SG). The aquarium must have a tight-fitting lid as amphiprion perculas are excellent jumpers!
Tank mates
They can be kept with others of their own kind, or other larger reef-safe fish like clowns and angels. Just keep in mind that a full-grown amphiprion perculas is only about 3, so you may want to look into larger tank mates.
In captivity, they are considered peaceful enough to be kept in a community tank but there has been some debate on whether or not they will nip at small shrimp.
Other good tank mates are angels, clowns, dottybacks, hawkfish, gobies, and blennies.
The following fish should not be kept with them; damsels, tangs, and butterfly fish. Damsels and tangs will harass them to death while butterfly fish will eat them.
Breeding
When you breed Amphiprion percula, have at least one male for every 2 females. They are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they start off as females and later change into males. The fish will lay eggs on live rock or in an aquarium with an egg-laying site such as a flat rock covered with coral rubble.
Breeding should be attempted only by experienced aquarists who can monitor closely and remove any dead eggs to prevent disease outbreaks. If done properly, these fish can breed without any assistance from humans at all! However, to ensure that there is always an ample supply of planktonic food available for larval fish (the size of brine shrimp), feed your adults at least twice daily with rotifers or baby brine shrimp when breeding is not underway.
Are they aggressive or peaceful?
Amphiprion percula is generally a very peaceful species of fish, but their temperament depends on what kind of behavior they’ve been taught. If you have a larger aquarium and multiple Amphiprion percula, it’s best to keep them in different places in your tank because they may feel more comfortable being alone rather than with other fish in smaller aquariums.
Amphiprion percula care
The Amphiprion percula is a reef-dwelling marine fish that makes an interesting addition to any saltwater aquarium. These aggressive carnivores eat other fish and invertebrates, including crustaceans, worms, and mollusks. They are hardy and compatible with other fast-moving species, but they may attack slow-moving sea slugs and nudibranchs. They can be kept in small groups of three or more individuals in a tank of at least 20 gallons (76 liters).
They will not thrive in tanks smaller than 10 gallons (38 liters). Due to their relatively large size, at about 3 inches (8 centimeters) long, you should also make sure your tank has plenty of hiding places for your fish. It’s important to maintain water quality by performing regular water changes and monitoring ammonia levels.
If your tank does not have live rock, adding some will help keep nitrates low.
What they eat
Feed them a variety of meaty foods like shrimp, krill, mussels, squid, and clams. They will readily accept prepared frozen foods such as brine shrimp and mysis shrimp. Be careful when feeding them because these fish have sharp teeth that can easily tear human skin if handled incorrectly.
Lifespan
This species can live for more than 3 years in captivity with good care.
Parasites and diseases
Maintaining your clownfish’s health is important. Parasites and diseases can cause a great deal of stress for your fish, and in some cases, parasites have led to death. Your fish may have been exposed to parasites and diseases when you purchased them from a pet store or online seller. A common parasite that affects saltwater fish is Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich). Ich appears as white spots on fins, skin flaking and gasping at the water surface.
In order to prevent certain diseases, maintain good water quality. To do so, make sure your nitrate levels are below 20ppm (parts per million). Use a quality dechlorinator when adding tap water to your aquarium and keep an eye on harmful ammonia and nitrite levels by performing frequent water changes. If you have any suspicions that your Amphiprion percula may be infected with disease or parasites, treat them immediately.
Predators
Though clownfish are famous for living in harmony with anemones, they should be quarantined away from any non-clown fish. Piscivorous fish like basses and pufferfish pose a serious threat to their well-being, as these fish will often intentionally target weaker specimens and may completely devour them. In addition to that, goldfish and other similarly piscivorous species can eat baby clownfish.
Do they make good pets?
Yes, clownfish make for very good starter saltwater fish. They are hardy and thrive in aquariums with few problems. As one of only a handful of saltwater fish that is easy to keep alive in captivity, they are a great way to get your feet wet with saltwater fish keeping.
Clownfish also have a charming personality that makes them fun to watch as they swim around your tank. If you’re interested in keeping marine fish but aren’t sure where to start, consider Amphiprion percula as an option.