QUICK STATS

Care Level: Easy
Diet: Omnivore
Temperament: Peaceful to Semi-Aggressive
Reef-Safe: Yes
Source: Captive Bred / See Options
Approximate Purchase Size: 1.25-1.5"
Approximate Max Size: 3-4"
Recommended Tank Size: 20-30 Gallons or Larger

MISBAR ONYX CLOWNFISH

The Misbar Onyx Clownfish (Amphiprion percula) is a captive-bred variation of the True Percula Clownfish known for its deep black “onyx” coloration, bright orange face, bold white barring, and irregular or incomplete misbar markings. The result is a clownfish with a darker, more dramatic appearance while still keeping the classic percula shape and personality.

Misbar Onyx Clownfish are typically captive-bred, making them hardy, adaptable, and well-suited for aquarium life. They are reef-safe, usually easy to feed, and make a strong choice for both newer and experienced reef keepers. Bulk Reef Supply lists ORA Misbar Onyx Percula Clownfish as captive-bred, reef-safe, easy-care, omnivorous, with an approximate purchase size of 1.25-1.5 inches, max size around 4 inches, and a recommended tank size of 20 gallons or larger.

This clownfish does not require an anemone to thrive. It may host in one if available, but it may also choose coral, rockwork, tank equipment, or the weirdest possible corner because clownfish are tiny landlords with terrible design instincts.

Note: Image is a representation of what to expect. The fish you receive may vary slightly in size, color, barring, pattern, and overall appearance.

AQUARIUM REQUIREMENTS

AQUARIUM SIZE

A minimum tank size of 20 gallons or larger is suitable for a single Misbar Onyx Clownfish, while 30 gallons or larger is a stronger recommendation for pairs or community aquariums. Sustainable Aquatics lists its Onyx Misbar Clownfish as Amphiprion percula, captive-bred, semi-aggressive, with a maximum size of 3 inches and an ideal tank size over 30 gallons.

HABITAT RECOMMENDATIONS

Misbar Onyx Clownfish are hardy and adaptable, making them a great option for reef tanks, nano reefs, and peaceful community aquariums.

Aquascaping: Provide live rock, caves, and open swimming space. Clownfish often claim one area of the aquarium and defend it like they signed closing papers.

Substrate: Sand or fine aragonite works well and helps create a natural reef-style environment.

Rockwork: Live rock is recommended for biological filtration, shelter, and overall aquarium stability.

Anemone Hosting: An anemone is not required. If adding one, make sure the aquarium is mature and stable. ORA Misbar Onyx Perculas may host in Carpet Anemones, Sebae Anemones, Bubble Tip Anemones, or Ritteri Anemones, but the aquarium and lighting should be suitable for the anemone before adding one.

Tank Cover: A tight-fitting lid is recommended. Clownfish are not the most famous jumpers, but the floor has never lost a match.

WATER PARAMETERS

Misbar Onyx Clownfish are hardy once established, but they still do best in clean, stable saltwater conditions. “Easy care” does not mean “immune to aquarium nonsense,” because apparently glass-box oceans still need rules.

Temperature: 75-80°F
pH Level: 8.1-8.4
Salinity: 1.020-1.026 specific gravity
Alkalinity: 8-12 dKH
Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate: Ammonia and nitrite should remain undetectable. Nitrate should be kept as low as reasonably possible, ideally below 20 ppm.
Water Flow: Low to moderate flow is ideal. They can handle typical reef flow but should have calmer areas where they can rest and establish territory. Bulk Reef Supply lists percula clownfish care around 75-82°F, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025, and nitrate under 20 ppm.

DIET

Misbar Onyx Clownfish are omnivores and usually accept a wide variety of frozen, prepared, meaty, and algae-based foods. Captive-bred percula clownfish are generally easier to feed and better adjusted to aquarium diets than wild-caught fish, which is one of the few times this hobby chooses mercy.

PRIMARY DIET

Frozen Food: Offer mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, marine blends, and finely chopped frozen foods.

Shop Favorite: Our favorite food to offer is Reef Frenzy by LRS because it provides a strong variety of marine ingredients and usually gets a great feeding response from clownfish. Watching an onyx clownfish attack food like it has personal grievances is one of reef keeping’s more reliable pleasures.

Prepared Foods: High-quality marine pellets or flakes are excellent staple options. Smaller pellet sizes are best for juvenile fish.

Algae-Based Foods: Spirulina flakes or mixed omnivore foods can be added occasionally for variety.

FEEDING FREQUENCY

Feed small amounts 1-2 times per day. Avoid overfeeding, even when the clownfish acts like one missed pellet is a direct attack on its bloodline.

COMPATIBILITY

Misbar Onyx Clownfish are generally peaceful and work well in reef aquariums, especially with other community fish. Like most clownfish, they may become more territorial as they mature, pair up, or choose a hosting area.

COMMON TANK MATES

Fish: Gobies, blennies, cardinalfish, wrasses, firefish, dwarf angelfish, tangs in larger aquariums, and other peaceful to semi-peaceful community fish.

Avoid: Large predatory fish, aggressive damsels, large triggers, groupers, lionfish, and fish that may bully or eat them. Avoid mixing with other clownfish unless pairing is intentional and the aquarium is large enough.

Invertebrates: Safe with most cleaner shrimp, hermit crabs, snails, urchins, and other common reef invertebrates.

Coral: Misbar Onyx Clownfish are considered reef-safe and should not bother soft corals, LPS, SPS, zoanthids, mushrooms, clams, or anemones. Onyx Percula care listings commonly describe them as reef-safe and community-safe when housed appropriately.

BEHAVIORAL NOTES

Temperament: Peaceful to semi-aggressive. Usually calm with other fish, but may defend a chosen area once established.

Captive-Bred Advantage: Captive-bred specimens usually adapt well to prepared foods, aquarium conditions, and life without a natural host anemone.

Pairing: Can be kept singly or as a pair. When pairing clownfish, it is usually best to introduce two juveniles or one larger and one smaller individual to reduce fighting.

Misbar Pattern: Misbar clownfish have incomplete or irregular barring. This does not affect health or care. It just means the stripes showed up late to work and still got promoted.

Onyx Coloration: The darker black coloration may become more pronounced as the fish matures. Individual coloration can vary depending on genetics, age, lighting, and overall condition.

Hosting Behavior: They do not need an anemone, but may host in one if available. They may also choose coral, rockwork, equipment, or the dumbest possible corner, because clownfish seem contractually obligated to embarrass aquascapers.

Reef Compatibility: Excellent for reef tanks. They are safe with coral and most invertebrates.

Adult Size: Misbar Onyx Clownfish typically stay around 3-4 inches, making them manageable for many reef aquariums.

Jumping: A tight-fitting lid is recommended. Even captive-bred clownfish are still fish, tragically powered by fish-level judgment.

ACCLIMATION PROCESS

This acclimation method helps reduce stress by gradually introducing the fish to your aquarium’s temperature and water chemistry.

1. TURN OFF THE LIGHTS & ATO

Turn off aquarium lights to reduce stress. If you have an Auto Top Off system, switch it off before starting acclimation.

2. FLOAT THE BAG

Float the sealed bag in the aquarium for 15-20 minutes to allow the temperature in the bag to equalize with the tank.

3. OPEN BAG, ADD FISH TO CONTAINER

Carefully open the bag and transfer the fish and shipping water into a clean bucket or container.

4. ACCLIMATE USING TANK WATER

Add 1/4 cup of tank water to the container every 5 minutes for 40 minutes.

5. TRANSFER FISH TO AQUARIUM

Once acclimation is complete, use a net or specimen container to gently transfer the fish into the aquarium. Discard the shipping water. Do not pour shipping water into your aquarium.

6. REFILL THE AQUARIUM WITH SALTWATER

You may need to replace the saltwater removed during acclimation with fresh mixed saltwater.