Ocellaris Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris)
| Ocellaris Clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Ocellaris Clownfish |
| Name Lat. | Amphiprion ocellaris |
| Family | Damselfishes |
| Family lat. | Pomacentridae |
| Order | Ovalentarias |
| Order lat. | Ovalentaria inc. sed. |
| Origin | Indo-West Pacific |
| Habitat | Coral reefs, lagoons |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 8.1-8.4 |
| Hardness | 8-10 °KH |
| Behavior | Semi-aggressive |
| Keeping | Pair with host anemone |
| Reef Compatible | Yes |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Life Span | 5-8 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 9 cm |
| Temperature | 24-27 °C |
| Salinity | 33-36 ‰ |
| Aquarium | ~ 300 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 3" |
| Temperature | 75-81 °F |
| Salinity | 1.020-1.025 sg |
| Aquarium | ~ 80 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The range of Amphiprion ocellaris is the eastern Indian and western Pacific Oceans, from the Andaman Sea and Thailand through Indonesia and northern Australia to the Philippines, where they live in shallow and calm lagoons in symbiosis with anemones.
Maintenance
The setup of the aquarium should have a well-structured reef setup and provide sufficient swimming space. They need at least one host anemone (symbiosis anemone), which serves as a hiding place, rest and retreat
Only lime-rich, heavy metal-free substrates may be used as substrate. To ensure water quality, filters, skimmers and heaters are necessary, as well as pumps to simulate tides, swell and bottom currents. It is recommended that live stones be used to set up the aquarium. The bacteria living in the porous stones act as a biological filter. The lighting must correspond to the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals
| Salinity: 33-36 ‰ | pH value: 8.1-8.4 |
| Carbonate hardness: 8-10 °KH | Nitrate content: 2-8 mg/l |
| phosphate content: 0.01-0.1 mg/l | nitrite content: 0.0-0.05 mg/l |
For salinity, an average value should be aimed for, which may only vary slightly by +/- 0.5 ‰. Ammonia and ammonium must not be measurable. Special attention must be paid to constantly good water quality.
Diet
They feed mainly on animal food, but also require plant food. The food supply should consist of a combination of small mysis, krill and artemia as well as chopped fish, mussel and squid meat, supplemented with a commercially available, frozen special food mix. In addition, high-quality granulated or flake food with a high vegetable content (e.g. spirulina, kelp). It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day (3-5 times)
Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
They must be kept in pairs with a host anemone, such as Heteractis magnifica, Stichodactyla gigantea or Stichodactyla mertensii, with which they live in symbiosis. The dominant, larger animal always develops into the female. They are monogamous and defend their host anemone together. There may be intraspecific incompatibility as well as incompatibility with other anemonefish. They can be well socialized with other peaceful fish.
Sex dimorphism
They are protandrous hermaphrodites, i.e. the females develop from functional males when needed. The female is significantly larger than the male.
Reproduction and breeding
The spawn is deposited at the base of the anemone and the male performs brood care. The larvae hatch after 6-11 days and must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (zooplankton).
Important
They find protection in the cnidarian tentacles of their host anemone and defend it against predators. They gain protection from the stinging venom by taking over ('cuddling') body mucus from their symbiotic anemone
If different species are kept together, care must be taken to ensure that the fish match each other in terms of water quality and temperature requirements, as well as their social behavior, and that the setup meets the needs of all species kept together. New fish to be introduced must be acclimated slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Werner Winter; Image: Franz Lowak
Source: KUITER, DEBELIUS (2007): Atlas der Meeresfische: Die Fische an den Küsten der Weltmeere, Kosmos Verlag; BAENSCH & PATZNER (1998): Meerwasser Atlas Bd. 7, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF