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 Gallons or Larger

TRUE PERCULA CLOWNFISH

The True Percula Clownfish (Amphiprion percula) is a captive-bred Percula Clownfish known for its bright orange body, bold white barring, black edging, and complete or perfect stripe pattern. Each fish may have slightly different markings, making every individual unique without needing a ridiculous designer name involving weather, coffee, or mythical armor. Progress, somehow.

True Percula Clownfish are some of the most recognizable clownfish in the saltwater aquarium hobby. Bulk Reef Supply lists ORA True Percula Clownfish as captive-bred, easy care, reef-safe, 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 species does not require an anemone to thrive. It may host in one if available, but it may also choose coral, rockwork, tank equipment, a back corner, or the one spot you least wanted it to live. Clownfish remain tiny interior designers with suspiciously bad taste.

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 recommended for a True Percula Clownfish. Some care sources list 15 gallons as a possible minimum for percula clownfish, while others list 20 gallons or larger for captive-bred True Perculas, so 20 gallons is a safer, shop-friendly recommendation for stability and comfort.

HABITAT RECOMMENDATIONS

True Percula Clownfish are hardy and adaptable, making them a great choice 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 own the deed.

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, since anemones are usually much less forgiving than clownfish. Captive clownfish can thrive without a host anemone, because apparently the expensive tentacle apartment is optional after all.

Tank Cover: A tight-fitting lid is recommended. Clownfish are not the most famous jumpers, but the floor is undefeated and has no mercy.

WATER PARAMETERS

True Percula Clownfish are hardy once established, but they still do best in clean, stable saltwater conditions. “Easy” means forgiving, not immune to whatever chemistry nonsense happens when humans put an ocean in a box.

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. BRS lists percula clownfish care around 75-82°F, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025, and nitrate under 20 ppm.

DIET

True Percula Clownfish are omnivores and usually accept a wide variety of frozen, prepared, meaty, and algae-based foods. Captive-bred clownfish are typically easier to feed and better adjusted to aquarium life than wild-caught fish, which is one of the few times this hobby gives anyone a break.

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 percula eat like the food personally wronged it is one of reef keeping’s small emotional support moments.

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 portion control is a constitutional violation.

COMPATIBILITY

True Percula 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: True Percula Clownfish are considered reef-safe and should not bother soft corals, LPS, SPS, zoanthids, mushrooms, clams, or anemones. ReefApp lists Amphiprion percula as reef safe and suitable for most aquariums.

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.

Hosting Behavior: They do not need an anemone, but may host in one if available. They may also host in coral, rockwork, equipment, or the dumbest available corner, because clownfish enjoy making aquascapers look foolish.

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

Adult Size: True Percula 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.