S&R Phantom Clownfish- Captive Bred

About the Phantom Clownfish- Captive Bred

Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Safe: Yes
Diet: Omnivore
Max Size: 3 inches
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons

The Phantom Clownfish is jet black with jagged white snowflake markings. No two fish are alike. Sea & Reef created the Phantom Clownfish through selective breeding of several of our ocellaris designer clownfish variations including Premium Snowflake Ocellaris Clownfish, Black Ice Clownfish and super black Darwin Ocellaris Clownfish. The goal was to make a jet black clownfish with the desirable white snowflake markings. Sea & Reef carefully selected only the best fish for broodstock and kept close tabs on the genetics to avoid any inbreeding. After many generations and combinations the Phantom Clownfish was born. Sea & Reef gave it the name Phantom Clownfish because the look of this fish evades reality and dwells somewhere on the edge of fantasy and imagination. The black coloration develops identical to Darwin Ocellaris Clownfish. Early juvenile fish are dark brown, but turns jet black when they reach a size of 1 ¼ -1 ½ inches.

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.