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    Clownfish

    Clark's anemonefish

    Amphiprion clarkii

    Also sold as Clarkii clownfish, Yellowtail clownfish

    Clark's anemonefish (Amphiprion clarkii), photographed in the sea or an aquarium
    Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
    Care level
    Beginner
    Adult size
    15.2 cm in aquariums
    Minimum tank
    114 litres
    Temperament
    Semi-aggressive
    With corals
    Reef safe
    Captive-bred
    Captive-bred sold, limited
    IUCN status
    Least Concern
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    How do you care for the clark's anemonefish?

    Semi-aggressive; can bully other clownfish and passive fish.

    Feeding

    Omnivore.

    Hardy, eats almost anything.

    Tank and special needs

    Plan for at least 114 litres of water (the care sheet says 30 US gallons).

    Accepts many anemone species if one is kept (LiveAquaria recommends one, not required).

    Corals and invertebrates

    None reported.

    Which tankmates suit the clark's anemonefish?

    Larger and bolder than ocellaris; one pair per tank; avoid with timid fish in small tanks.

    Suggested order in a mixed tank: add after the first peaceful fish.

    More than one clark's anemonefish

    Only as a mated pair, or two juveniles added together. A third clark's anemonefish is usually driven out.

    Other fish

    Checked against the other 59 fish in this guide, assuming a tank big enough for both. Individual fish differ, so treat this as a starting point.

    Avoid together (4)

    • Ocellaris clownfishBoth are Amphiprion; close relatives defend the same space and food.
    • Percula clownfishBoth are Amphiprion; close relatives defend the same space and food.
    • Tomato clownfishBoth are Amphiprion; close relatives defend the same space and food.
    • Maroon clownfishDo not mix clownfish species in a home tank; they fight over territory.
    Usually fine together (55)

    Invertebrates

    Only the invertebrates with a known risk are listed.

    Take care (2)

    • Tiger tail sea cucumberA stressed or dead tiger tail sea cucumber can release toxins that harm fish; cover pump intakes.
    • Sea appleA stressed or dead sea apple can release toxins that harm fish; cover pump intakes.

    Corals and anemones

    Only the corals and anemones with a known risk are listed.

    No known problems with the corals and anemones in this guide.

    These checks follow the reasons fish and invertebrates clash: same species or genus, similar shape, mouth size, temperament, food, burrows, tank size and the order they are added. Individual animals differ; every source agrees on that.

    Quarantine and health

    As other clownfish.

    New fish are the most common way disease gets into a reef tank. Quarantine every fish in a separate tank before it joins the display, and choose a method that suits its tolerance of copper.

    Captive-bred or wild?

    Captive-bred available.

    What does it cost in the UK?

    about £70 a pair. This is one UK retailer’s listing on 21 October 2026, not a market average, and every item was sold out on that day.

    Sources

    1. LiveAquaria (US retailer) care sheetRead 21 October 2026, read in full. Used for: stats.
    2. FishBase species summaryRead 21 October 2026, read in full. Used for: max length, IUCN.
    3. Kraken Corals (UK retailer) catalogueRead 21 October 2026, read in full. Used for: UK price.

    Last checked . How we check

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    Ocellaris clownfish

    Amphiprion ocellaris

    Good first fish

    Care
    Beginner
    Adult size
    11 cm
    Tank from
    76 litres
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Corals
    Reef safe

    Photo Ritiks, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Percula clownfish

    Amphiprion percula

    Good first fish

    Care
    Beginner
    Adult size
    8 cm
    Tank from
    114 litres
    Temperament
    Mostly peaceful
    Corals
    Reef safe

    Photo CrisisRose, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Tomato clownfish

    Amphiprion frenatus

    Care
    Beginner
    Adult size
    13 cm
    Tank from
    114 litres
    Temperament
    Semi-aggressive
    Corals
    Reef safe

    Photo Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Maroon clownfish

    Premnas biaculeatus

    Care
    Intermediate
    Adult size
    15 cm
    Tank from
    114 litres
    Temperament
    Aggressive
    Corals
    Reef safe

    Photo Bernard Dupont, CC BY-SA 2.0