Ocellaris Clownfish

Amphiprion ocellaris

Ocellaris Clownfish

Amphiprion ocellaris

Other Common Names
Clown Anemonefish, Common Clownfish

Connected Coasts

Other Common Names

Clown Anemonefish, Common Clownfish

At the Aquarium

Connected Coasts

Appearance

Ocellaris clownfish are orange with three white bars and black markings on their fins. Female ocellaris clownfish are larger than males.

The ocellaris clownfish can grow to a total length of 11cm.

Habitat

Sheltered lagoons and coral reefs. Found at depths of 1 to 15m.

Diet

Zooplankton, copepods, and filamentous algae

Life History

Like other clownfish species, ocellaris clownfish are protandrous hermaphrodites, meaning all individuals grow up as male with the ability to change into females as they grow older. In the absence of a female the largest male will turn into a female. Ocellaris clownfish form monogamous pairs, meaning they only have one mate at a time. These pairs will share an anemone with other ocellaris clownfish who are lower-ranking and non-breeding.

Eggs are laid near the base of the anemone and are then cared for by the male until they hatch. Once hatched, the larvae drift in ocean currents. They eventually settle and seek shelter in a suitable anemone.

IUCN Status

Least Concern

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

Ocellaris clownfish are very territorial and form a symbiotic relationship with anemones. The anemone provides the ocellaris clownfish with protection and shelter, while the clownfish gives the anemone nutrients in the form of waste. The clownfish also scare off potential predator fish.

Distributed in the Indo-Pacific from the Andaman Sea, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, Philippines, north-western Australia, Taiwan, and Ryukyu Islands.

This animal is not native to the Oregon Coast, however is found in the larger Pacific Ocean. It lives in the Aquarium as part of our Connected Coasts gallery.

Each species of clownfish has a preferred anemone host. These fish have a protective layer of mucus which prevents it from being stung as it takes shelter in the tentacles of an anemone.

The characters Nemo and Marlin from the Pixar movie Finding Nemo are ocellaris clownfish.

Citations & Other Resources

Allen, G.R., H. Arceo, M.T.M Mutia, F.B. Muyot, C.L. Nañola and M. Santos. 2022. Amphiprion ocellaris. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022.

Myers, R. F. 1991. Micronesian reef fishes : a practical guide to the identification of the coral reef fishes of the tropical central and western Pacific (2nd ed.). Coral Graphics.

Brown, M.E. and P.J. Schofield, 2025, Amphiprion ocellaris Cuvier in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1830: U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?

Ocellaris Clownfish

Ocellaris Clownfish

Other Common Names

At the Aquarium

Appearance

Habitat

Diet

Life History

IUCN Status

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

Citations & Other Resources

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