About the S&R Darwin Clownfish Captive Bred
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Safe: Yes
Diet: Omnivore
Invertebrate Safe: 3 inches
Minimum Tank Size: 10 Gallons
The Darwin Ocellaris Clownfish is a variant of the common clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris. This beautiful color morph is jet black with white stripes and is found naturally only in a confined geographic area around Darwin, North Australia. We are honoring this fact by keeping the name “Darwin ocellaris Clownfish”. There is limited import of this species from the wild, but thanks to captive breeding efforts this species is now commonly available. We have carefully selected high quality broodstock fish and selectively bred for perfect body profile and very black coloration. The Darwin Ocellaris Clownfish we produce are known for being of exceptionally good quality and turn jet black very early. Even though the Darwin ocellaris looks very different than the regular ocellaris they behavior and feeding habits are very similar.
This Clownfish does not need an Anemone to survive, but will accept many different Anemones as its host, including corals. Their favorite Anemones to call home are the Carpet Anemones Stichodactyla Gigantea or the Magnificent Anemone Heteractis Magnifica.
These fish will accept most fish foods and are perfect for reef tanks. More than one can be kept in the same aquarium and they prefer to be kept in groups.
Clownfish have a very distinct swimming motion that is different from most fish. This is likely passed on through their genetic makeup from centuries of wiggling within the tentacles of Anemones. As the Clownfish wiggles within the stinging tentacles the Anemone’s mucus is likely smeared over the Clownfish’s body, which then protects it from additional stings.
In the wild they live in small groups with one large dominant female, one smaller sexually active male, and a handful of smaller males and juveniles. When the female is lost the largest male will then change sex and become the dominant female with the other Clowns moving up the ladder behind it.