Snowflake Clownfish - Amphiprion ocellaris
Snowflake Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris)
The Snowflake Clownfish, Amphiprion ocellaris, is a captive-bred designer form of the popular Ocellaris Clownfish, admired for its irregular white “snowflake” body markings, bright orange base colour and dark edging that can become more pronounced with maturity. Also known as the Snowflake Ocellaris Clownfish or Designer Snowflake Clown, this hardy marine clownfish is a popular choice for reef and fish-only marine aquariums. Captive-bred Snowflake Clownfish are usually confident, easy to feed and well adapted to aquarium life, making them an excellent centrepiece for many home marine setups.
Common Name:
Snowflake Clownfish, Snowflake Clown, Snowflake Ocellaris Clownfish, Designer Snowflake Clownfish, Snowflake False Percula Clownfish.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Amphiprion ocellaris
Captive-bred “Snowflake” variety.
Maximum Size:
Usually around 8–9 cm in aquariums, with the wild Ocellaris Clownfish reaching up to around 11 cm.
Water Type:
Marine
Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Snowflake Clownfish is a captive-bred designer variety and does not occur as a wild locality form. The wild species, Amphiprion ocellaris, is native to the Indo-West Pacific, including areas such as the Andaman Sea, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, the Philippines, northwest Australia and nearby reef regions. In nature, Ocellaris Clownfish live around shallow reefs and lagoons, often in close association with host sea anemones.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Hardness or Salinity: SG 1.020–1.025
Temperament:
Generally peaceful to semi-territorial. Snowflake Clownfish are usually less aggressive than larger clownfish species such as Maroon Clownfish, but they may defend a chosen area of rockwork, coral, anemone or aquarium corner, especially as a pair or when breeding.
Diet:
Omnivorous. In the wild, Ocellaris Clownfish feed on small zooplankton, tiny crustaceans and some algae-based material. In the aquarium, offer quality marine pellets, flakes, frozen mysis, enriched brineshrimp, copepods, finely chopped seafood and occasional spirulina or algae-based foods. Captive-bred specimens usually accept prepared foods readily.
Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 90 litres is recommended for a single specimen or compatible pair, with larger aquariums preferred for mixed reef communities. Provide rockwork, shelter and moderate water movement.
Behaviour & Activity:
A bold, site-attached clownfish that often chooses a favourite area of the aquarium and spends much of its time close to it. It does not require a host anemone to thrive, but may accept suitable anemones or sometimes adopt corals such as Euphyllia-style corals as a substitute. Like other clownfish, pairs form a size-based hierarchy, with the larger individual becoming female. Captive-bred Snowflake Clownfish are usually visible, active and confident once settled.
Reef Safe:
Reef Safe with Caution
Generally safe with corals, snails, hermit crabs, cleaner shrimps and most ornamental invertebrates. The caution is behavioural: a clownfish may irritate corals if it adopts them as a host, may move small amounts of sand near its territory and may become defensive towards nearby fish or the aquarist’s hand once mature or breeding.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Captive-bred Snowflake Clownfish are typically hardy and aquarium-adapted, making them a strong choice for newer marine keepers with a properly cycled aquarium. Keep singly or as a compatible pair; avoid mixing with other clownfish species in smaller aquariums. A host anemone is optional and should only be added to a mature, well-lit system with stable water quality. Snowflake patterning varies greatly between individuals, and this natural variation is part of the appeal of designer clownfish.
Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate fishkeepers
Availability:
Captive-bred / Common in trade
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
Description
Snowflake Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris)
The Snowflake Clownfish, Amphiprion ocellaris, is a captive-bred designer form of the popular Ocellaris Clownfish, admired for its irregular white “snowflake” body markings, bright orange base colour and dark edging that can become more pronounced with maturity. Also known as the Snowflake Ocellaris Clownfish or Designer Snowflake Clown, this hardy marine clownfish is a popular choice for reef and fish-only marine aquariums. Captive-bred Snowflake Clownfish are usually confident, easy to feed and well adapted to aquarium life, making them an excellent centrepiece for many home marine setups.
Common Name:
Snowflake Clownfish, Snowflake Clown, Snowflake Ocellaris Clownfish, Designer Snowflake Clownfish, Snowflake False Percula Clownfish.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Amphiprion ocellaris
Captive-bred “Snowflake” variety.
Maximum Size:
Usually around 8–9 cm in aquariums, with the wild Ocellaris Clownfish reaching up to around 11 cm.
Water Type:
Marine
Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Snowflake Clownfish is a captive-bred designer variety and does not occur as a wild locality form. The wild species, Amphiprion ocellaris, is native to the Indo-West Pacific, including areas such as the Andaman Sea, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, the Philippines, northwest Australia and nearby reef regions. In nature, Ocellaris Clownfish live around shallow reefs and lagoons, often in close association with host sea anemones.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Hardness or Salinity: SG 1.020–1.025
Temperament:
Generally peaceful to semi-territorial. Snowflake Clownfish are usually less aggressive than larger clownfish species such as Maroon Clownfish, but they may defend a chosen area of rockwork, coral, anemone or aquarium corner, especially as a pair or when breeding.
Diet:
Omnivorous. In the wild, Ocellaris Clownfish feed on small zooplankton, tiny crustaceans and some algae-based material. In the aquarium, offer quality marine pellets, flakes, frozen mysis, enriched brineshrimp, copepods, finely chopped seafood and occasional spirulina or algae-based foods. Captive-bred specimens usually accept prepared foods readily.
Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 90 litres is recommended for a single specimen or compatible pair, with larger aquariums preferred for mixed reef communities. Provide rockwork, shelter and moderate water movement.
Behaviour & Activity:
A bold, site-attached clownfish that often chooses a favourite area of the aquarium and spends much of its time close to it. It does not require a host anemone to thrive, but may accept suitable anemones or sometimes adopt corals such as Euphyllia-style corals as a substitute. Like other clownfish, pairs form a size-based hierarchy, with the larger individual becoming female. Captive-bred Snowflake Clownfish are usually visible, active and confident once settled.
Reef Safe:
Reef Safe with Caution
Generally safe with corals, snails, hermit crabs, cleaner shrimps and most ornamental invertebrates. The caution is behavioural: a clownfish may irritate corals if it adopts them as a host, may move small amounts of sand near its territory and may become defensive towards nearby fish or the aquarist’s hand once mature or breeding.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Captive-bred Snowflake Clownfish are typically hardy and aquarium-adapted, making them a strong choice for newer marine keepers with a properly cycled aquarium. Keep singly or as a compatible pair; avoid mixing with other clownfish species in smaller aquariums. A host anemone is optional and should only be added to a mature, well-lit system with stable water quality. Snowflake patterning varies greatly between individuals, and this natural variation is part of the appeal of designer clownfish.
Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate fishkeepers
Availability:
Captive-bred / Common in trade
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
