Ocellaris vs Percula Clownfish: Species, Pattern, Hardiness Comparison

Neutral side-by-side from Fast Aquatics editorial. We list both originators in our marketplace - this comparison exists to help you choose by intent, not by vendor.

Ocellaris Clownfish

Originator: Amphiprion ocellaris (wild + captive-bred)
First documented: native to Indo-Pacific
Pattern: Thinner black outlines on white bars, often more orange
Adult size: Adult 3-3.5 inches
Typical price: $15-40 wild-type / $30-200 designer strains
Keeper notes: Most farmed marine fish on earth. Base for nearly every designer strain.

Percula Clownfish

Originator: Amphiprion percula (wild + captive-bred)
First documented: native to Solomon Islands + PNG
Pattern: Thicker black outlines, more pronounced bar contrast
Adult size: Adult 3-4 inches
Typical price: $25-50 wild-type / $50-250 designer strains (Onyx, Picasso)
Keeper notes: True Percula. Onyx + Picasso strains are Percula-species lines.

Husbandry overlap

Both reef-safe, both pair-bond, both host Heteractis magnifica or Stichodactyla species anemones. Identical husbandry.

Pick by intent

Choose Ocellaris Clownfish if

You want broadest pattern variety + lowest price for designer strains.

Choose Percula Clownfish if

You want the bolder black-outlined look + the Onyx/Picasso designer pedigree.

Both available from Fast Aquatics vendors

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