Description

The Aquacultured Percula Clownfish (Amphiprion percula) is an excellent choice for reef tank enthusiasts in Caboolture, Queensland, Australia. Being aquacultured means they are bred in captivity, offering several advantages over their wild-caught counterparts:

Benefits of Aquacultured Percula Clownfish:

• Hardier and More Adaptable: They are typically more accustomed to aquarium conditions, making them more resilient during acclimation and in the long term.
• Reduced Stress: They haven’t endured the stress of collection and transportation from the wild.
• Fewer Diseases: Aquacultured fish are generally healthier and less likely to carry parasites or diseases.
• Sustainable Choice: Choosing aquacultured fish helps reduce the impact on wild reef populations.

Care Requirements:

The care for aquacultured Percula Clownfish is similar to that of wild-caught individuals:

• Minimum Tank Size: A minimum of 10-20 gallons (40-76 liters) is recommended for a single Percula Clownfish. A pair will thrive in a tank of 20 gallons or more. If you plan to house them with an anemone or other tank mates, a larger tank (30 gallons or more) is advisable.
• Water Parameters: Maintain stable conditions:
  • Temperature: 74-82F (23-28C) – Aim for the higher end if you plan to keep anemones.
  • Salinity: 1.020-1.025 specific gravity.
  • pH: 7.8-8.4.
  • Alkalinity: 8-12 dKH.
  • Ammonia and nitrite should be 0 ppm.
  • Nitrate should be kept below 20 ppm.
• Filtration: A good quality filtration system, ideally with a protein skimmer, is essential to maintain optimal water quality.
• Water Flow: Moderate water flow is generally preferred. The flow should be adjusted based on the needs of any corals or anemones in the tank.
• Lighting: Standard reef aquarium lighting is sufficient for Percula Clownfish. If you intend to keep a host anemone, ensure you provide lighting appropriate for that specific anemone species.
• Substrate: A sand or mixed substrate is suitable.
• Live Rock: Provide ample live rock for hiding places and to encourage natural behaviours.
• Diet: Percula Clownfish are omnivores. Offer a varied diet including:
  • High-quality marine flake or pellet food.
  • Frozen foods such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and chopped seafood.
  • Occasional vegetable matter or algae-based foods.
  • Feed small portions 2-3 times daily.

Behavior and Compatibility:

• Temperament: Percula Clownfish are generally semi-aggressive. They can become territorial, especially when establishing a hosting spot or breeding.
• Tank Mates: They usually get along well with other peaceful to semi-aggressive fish. Avoid housing them with large, aggressive predators.
• Anemone Partnership: While not essential for their survival, Percula Clownfish in the wild have a symbiotic relationship with certain anemones (like Bubble Tip, Sebae, and Carpet Anemones). They may host an anemone in your aquarium, providing the clownfish with protection and the anemone with some cleaning and food scraps. However, there’s no guarantee they will host an anemone, and they can live happily without one, often hosting corals or other tank structures instead.
• Pairing: Clownfish are protandrous hermaphrodites, meaning they are all born male and can change to female. In a pair, the larger, more dominant individual will become female. Introducing two juvenile clownfish simultaneously often leads to the formation of a pair.

Breeding:

Aquacultured Percula Clownfish readily breed in captivity under the right conditions. If you have a mated pair in a suitable environment with good water quality and a nutritious diet, they may lay eggs on a flat surface like a piece of rock or a breeding tile. The male typically cares for the eggs until they hatch. Raising the fry requires a separate setup and specialized feeding.