QUICK STATS

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

TANGERINE MAINE BLIZZARD CLOWNFISH

The Tangerine Maine Blizzard Clownfish (Amphiprion percula) is a designer percula clownfish known for its mostly white body, soft tangerine-orange coloration, smoky pelvic fins, and reduced dark pigmentation. Sea & Reef lists this variety as Amphiprion percula with a maximum size of 3 inches, and describes the tangerine expression as reduced pigmentation that lightens the body coloration and minimizes black pigment.

This variety builds on the classic Maine Blizzard Clownfish, which Sea & Reef originally developed from Premium Picasso Clownfish. The Tangerine Maine Blizzard keeps that bright blizzard-style look but adds a warmer citrus tone, because apparently a regular white designer clownfish was not dramatic enough for civilized society. Sea & Reef notes the Tangerine Maine Blizzard was first released on March 7, 2025, making it a newer designer clownfish variety.

Tangerine Maine Blizzard Clownfish are typically captive-bred, hardy, peaceful, and well-suited for reef aquariums. Their care is very similar to regular percula clownfish, and they can thrive with or without a host anemone.

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

AQUARIUM REQUIREMENTS

AQUARIUM SIZE

A minimum tank size of 20 gallons or larger is recommended for a Tangerine Maine Blizzard Clownfish. A single fish or compatible pair can do well in this range, while larger aquariums provide better stability and more room for tank mates.

HABITAT RECOMMENDATIONS

Tangerine Maine Blizzard 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 choose one area of the tank and defend it like they’re paying the electric bill.

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. Sea & Reef notes that Maine Blizzard-style clownfish may accept a variety of host anemones, and many hobbyists keep them with Bubble Tip Anemones.

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

WATER PARAMETERS

Tangerine Maine Blizzard Clownfish are hardy once established, but they still do best in clean, stable saltwater conditions. “Easy” does not mean “immune to bad decisions in a glass box with electricity nearby.”

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.

DIET

Tangerine Maine Blizzard Clownfish are omnivores and usually accept a wide variety of frozen, prepared, meaty, and algae-based foods. Sea & Reef notes that captive-bred clownfish 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. Watching a captive-bred clownfish eat like it has unpaid debts is one of the few reliable joys in this hobby.

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 every missed pellet is a personal betrayal.

COMPATIBILITY

Tangerine Maine Blizzard 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, form a pair, 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.

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

Coral: Tangerine Maine Blizzard Clownfish are considered reef-safe and should not bother soft corals, LPS, SPS, zoanthids, mushrooms, clams, or anemones.

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.

Designer Pattern: Each Tangerine Maine Blizzard Clownfish may vary slightly in white coverage, orange/tangerine coloration, fin tone, and remaining pigmentation. That is the charm, allegedly, and also how clownfish collectors justify “just one more pair.”

Hosting Behavior: They do not need an anemone, but may host in one if available. They may also host in coral, rockwork, equipment, or a random corner that ruins everyone’s carefully planned aquascape.

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

Adult Size: Sea & Reef lists the Tangerine Maine Blizzard Clownfish at a maximum size of 3 inches, making it a manageable designer clownfish for many reef aquariums.

Jumping: A tight-fitting lid is recommended. Even premium designer clownfish are still fish, tragically operating on 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.