True VS False Percula Clownfishes
How Can You Tell Which is Which?

Clownfish Profiles << >> Clownfish Photos We have heard some saltwater aquarists say that the difference between the True and False Percula Clown or Anemonefish is simply that the false species is tank-raised in captivity and has never seen the ocean. Hmmmm. So if this is the only reason these clownfish differ, and hypothetically you placed a "tank-raised" Percula into the ocean, does it miraculously become a True Percula Clownfish? What do you think? Continued below ¬

To help with the identification of these two species, here are distinguishing differences that set them apart from one another, which is more than just being tank-raised or not.

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  Percula Clownfish, Clown Anemonefish
  (Amphiprion percula)
  Photo by Rob Borycki
  
• Because of its name, Amphiprion percula, it is the True Percula Clownfish.
• Typically orange in color with three white bars, with the middle bar having a forward-projecting bulge.
• Has 10 (rarely 9) dorsal spines.
• Usually has jet black margins of varied widths around its white bars, often of which can be rather thick.
• Distribution of this species in nature: Northern Queensland and Melanesia (New Guinea, New Britain, New Ireland, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu).

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  False Percula, Ocellaris Clownfish
  (Amphiprion ocellaris)
  Photo by David Wade
  
• Typically orange in color with three white bars, with the middle bar having a forward-projecting bulge.
• Has 11 (rarely 10) dorsal spines.
• The spinous (anterior) part of the dorsal fin is taller.
• May have no black margins present, but most often has thin, never thick black margins around its white bars.
• Distribution of this species in nature: Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Andaman Sea), Indo-Malayan Archipelago, Philippines, northwestern Australia; coast of Southeast Asia northwards to the Ryukyu Islands.

Did you know that Clownfish are classified as Damselfish?

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Clownfish Profiles << >> Clownfish Photos
Web Reference Resource
"Field Guide to Anemone Fishes and Their Host Sea Anemones"

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