The True Percula Clownfish is the fish most people picture when they imagine a marine aquarium. With their bright orange body color, divided by bands of elegant white outlined in black, Amphiprion percula is the essence of beauty. However, it is the famous symbiotic relationship the True Percula Clownfish has with various anemones that truly captures the imagination of most aquarists. In the wild, True Percula Clownfish is commonly associated with anemones such as Heteractis magnifica or Stichodactyla mertensii. However, in the home aquarium the True Percula Clownfish can do fine without an anemone partner.
The True Percula Clownfish is not for the inexperienced, which poses a challenge for many new hobbyists. Percula Clownfish is often confused for the much easier to keep and more drably colored Ocellaris Clownfish. Therefore, care needs to be taken in choosing the appropriate clownfish for your home aquarium. The Percula Clownfish also has a thicker black outline to its white body stripes.
Native to reefs across Oceania, the Indo-Pacific, and off the coast of Australia, the True Percula Clownfish is also known as the Clown Anemonefish. In the wild, this member of the Pomacentridae family grows to about 4-1/2 inches; however, captive specimens rarely exceed 3-1/2 inches in length. In the home aquarium, the True Percula Clownfish requires an aquarium of at least 30 gallons with a fair amount of live rock.
Since the True Percula Clownfish is an omnivore, it requires a varied diet consisting of both meaty foods and herbivore preparations. Though not as hardy as the Ocellaris Clownfish, once acclimated to your system and eating, the True Percula Clownfish is a good candidate for reef aquariums.
If already paired, the female Percula Clownfish is the larger fish. The Percula Clownfish, like several other clownfish, can be bred in the home aquarium, and is one of the most common "starter" fish for saltwater breeders.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 3/4" to 1-1/4"; Medium: 1-1/4" to 2"; Large: 2" to 3"
Testimonial By:
Testimonial:
Cheyenne E Casper, WY
I have two true percula clownfish, one is tank breed and the other wild. They are my favorite fish in my reef aquarium. They are not for the unexperienced. They like to play in anything that resembles an anemone including corals.
My clown arrived today and is doing great! He acclimated easily and is swimming throughout the tank and searching for a place to hide. I strongly recommend that you purchase all your live fish through LiveAquaria.com. I will buy ONLY from them because all the fish they've sent are doing wonderfully.
The specimen I received is beautiful and the coloring is very dramatic. He is doing very well and after a few weeks has now developed a symbiotic relationship with my Rose Anemone! The interaction is amazing.
I've had my pair of true percs for close to 8 years now, and they've laid eggs about 5 times. They are the hardiest of all my fish, and they were the first inhabitants of my tank. They have not required any special care on my end, so thank goodness I've received a great pair! I've gone through many fish dying on me, but my clowns have survived 3 tank changes in 8 years. They will not leave my frogspawn coral alone, it is pretty much their home. The female is definately more aggressive and bigger than the male, very protective or her territory but will get along with any other tank mates as long as they don't get too close to her "home" :) I wouldn't trade them for any other fish in the world.
These fish are truly beautiful, but like mentioned before, they are not for the novice starters in salwater. They can be finicky eaters, but once they start eating they will be fine. I have a large female that I ordered from doctor foster and she is doing fine, she keeps going near my rose and bubble tip anemone, but haven't moved in yet. I really love the customer service from doc foster, I ordered two percula before and they just wouldn't eat, shortly after they end up dying, I emailed doctor foster, and I got my money refunded without no problem. I will always order live stock from doctor foster. All the live stock I have ever ordered has been beautiful, even the ones I have lost.
