QUICK STATS

Care Level: Easy to Moderate
Diet: Omnivore
Temperament: Peaceful to Semi-Aggressive
Reef-Safe: Yes
Source: Captive Bred / See Options
Approximate Purchase Size: 1.25-2"
Approximate Max Size: 3-4"
Recommended Tank Size: 20-30 Gallons or Larger

FIJI PINK SKUNK CLOWNFISH

The Fiji Pink Skunk Clownfish (Amphiprion perideraion) is a beautiful skunk-complex clownfish known for its soft pink, peach, and orange coloration with a clean white stripe running from the nose along the top of the body. It also has a vertical white stripe behind the eye, which helps distinguish it from similar skunk clownfish varieties. Sustainable Aquatics describes the Fiji Pink Skunk as having a light orange body with a pink “sun kissed” appearance, plus the white dorsal stripe and vertical stripe behind the eye.

Fiji Pink Skunk Clownfish are generally peaceful compared to many other clownfish species, making them a nice option for reef tanks and community aquariums. They are still clownfish, though, so they may become territorial once established, paired, or hosting in a favorite spot. Cute fish, tiny property dispute. Standard reef behavior, apparently.

This species does not require an anemone to thrive, especially when captive-bred, but it may host in one if available. Pink Skunks are commonly associated with anemones such as Sebae Anemones (Heteractis crispa) and carpet anemones (Stichodactyla spp.), though many will also do well without a host anemone in a stable aquarium.

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

AQUARIUM REQUIREMENTS

AQUARIUM SIZE

A minimum tank size of 20 gallons or larger can work for a single Fiji Pink Skunk Clownfish, though 30 gallons or larger is a more comfortable recommendation, especially for pairs or community aquariums. Some care listings recommend 20 gallons, while Sustainable Aquatics recommends aquariums of at least 29 gallons or larger to help reduce aggression in smaller spaces.

HABITAT RECOMMENDATIONS

Fiji Pink Skunk Clownfish do best in stable aquariums with shelter, swimming space, and low-stress tank mates.

Aquascaping: Provide live rock, caves, and open swimming areas. They appreciate shelter and may retreat when startled, because even fish with soft pastel colors still have survival instincts.

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. Sebae Anemones and carpet anemones are natural host options, though anemones are generally more demanding than the clownfish itself. Naturally, the fish is easy and the optional decoration has a résumé.

Tank Cover: A tight-fitting lid is recommended. Clownfish are not the most famous jumpers, but the floor keeps winning.

WATER PARAMETERS

Fiji Pink Skunk Clownfish are hardy once established, but they still do best in clean, stable saltwater conditions. “Hardy” does not mean “toss into chaos and hope,” though humanity keeps submitting that experiment for peer review.

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, feed, and establish territory. Bulk Reef Supply lists skunk clownfish care around 75-82°F, pH 8.1-8.4, and specific gravity 1.020-1.025.

DIET

Fiji Pink Skunk Clownfish are omnivores and usually accept a wide variety of frozen, prepared, meaty, and algae-based foods. In nature, clownfish consume foods such as small crustaceans, algae, worms, and leftovers from their host anemone’s meals, because apparently even wild clownfish enjoy takeout. Sea & Reef notes that captive-bred Fiji Pink Skunks are conditioned to eat pellets, flakes, frozen mysis shrimp, and frozen brine shrimp.

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. Few things are more satisfying than a clownfish eating like it has personally been wronged by the food.

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, nori, 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 historical injustice.

COMPATIBILITY

Fiji Pink Skunk Clownfish are usually more peaceful than many other clownfish species, but they may still become 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, very aggressive damsels, large triggers, groupers, lionfish, and fish that may bully or eat them. Avoid mixing with other clownfish unless the tank is large and the pairing plan is intentional.

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

Coral: Fiji Pink Skunk Clownfish are considered reef-safe and should not bother soft corals, LPS, SPS, zoanthids, mushrooms, clams, or anemones. Top Shelf Aquatics lists Pink Skunk Clownfish as reef safe, omnivorous, easy-care, and peaceful.

BEHAVIORAL NOTES

Temperament: Peaceful to semi-aggressive. Usually calmer than many clownfish, but still capable of defending a chosen area.

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, introducing two juveniles or one larger and one smaller individual often works best.

Skunk Stripe: The white stripe running from the nose along the back gives this group the “skunk” name. Thankfully, this is visual only. The ocean spared us one indignity.

Hosting Behavior: They do not need an anemone, but may host in one if available. They may also choose coral, rockwork, or an awkward corner, because clownfish love ruining carefully planned aquascapes.

Adult Size: Most Fiji Pink Skunk Clownfish reach about 3-4 inches, making them manageable for many reef aquariums. ORA’s Pink Skunk listing describes them as reaching a maximum size of 3-4 inches.

Jumping: A tight-fitting lid is recommended. Even peaceful clownfish are still fish, and fish are tragically committed to bad exits.

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.