Most popularly known as Nemo, the attractive Ocellaris Clown Fish embodies most people's idea of what a clownfish looks like. Ocellaris Clowns make wonderful aquarium creatures which many hobbyists successfully breed at home.

In the wild, Ocellaris Clowns normally dwell in a hosting anemone for protection. Anemones In home aquaria, the inclusion of an anemone is not necessary though the fish may feel more comfortable with one. Some coral species, such as Xenia may also host Clown Fish. If neither are available, make sure your fish has suitable hiding places (overturned flowerpots do well). If you wish to add an anemone, suitable species include: Stoichactis sp., Heteractis magnifica, and Heteractis quadricolor.

Keeping multiple specimens in the same tank works with juveniles, but as the Ocellaris Clown matures, it becomes more territorian and defensive of its anemone. Unless kept in large tanks, only a single specimen of mated pair make suitable tankmates. Ocellaris Clowns are reef safe.

Mature, bright orange and white, Ocellaris Clowns measure 3 - 4 inches (7 - 9 centimeters) in length. Thin black bands (as opposed to thicker black bands found on the True Percula Clown) separate the three white bands from the body's orange coloration. The middle white band bulges and curves toward the middle of the body. The remaining two white bands sport fairly straight edges. Black edges line each of the Ocellaris Clown's double dorsal and anal fins.

Ocellaris Clowns require water temperatures between 75 - 78 degrees Fahrenheit (24 - 26 Celsius) and pH between 8.3 - 8.4. Specific gravity between 1.020 - 1.025 works best. Ocellaris Clowns require high water quality. Use of a protein skimmer and the frequent partial water changes come highly recommended. Hiding places or hosts, such as an anemone or cora,l help the Ocellaris Clown feel secure. Intollerant of other species of clownfish, the Ocellaris Clown fit well in a reef environment.

Feed the Ocellaris Clown a variety of quality foods - both meat and vegetable. The Ocellaris also accepts prepared foods such as flake.

Like other Clown Fish, the Ocellaris starts life asexual. When kept in pairs, generaly one becomes male and the other, felmale. Visual sexing is possible; as females are generally larger than males. Sometimes, placing a pair of clowns together in a tank, one larger than the other, will cause the them to change sex so that the larger ends up female and smaller, male.

Mated pairs usually clean a rock or other surface upon which they deposit eggs. The spawn produces hundreds of eggs which the male Ocellaris Clown guards and fans them with his fins. When the fry hatch, they are planktonic, and care must be taken that they are not eaten or sucked into the filtration system.