With over 30 different types of clownfish to choose from, it can be difficult to figure out which one would be right for your tank. Clownfish are popular both among experienced fishkeepers and people who’ve never owned an aquarium before, as they’re relatively easy to care for and beautiful to look at.
A clownfish, also known as an anemone fish, can make a wonderful addition to your saltwater aquarium. But with so many different types of clownfish available, it’s important to do your research on the species you wish to buy before adding one to your tank.
When you think of clownfish, you’re probably imagining Nemo and his father Marlin, right?
In the popular Pixar film Finding Nemo, the clownfish were on many moviegoers’ minds, but there are actually more than just those two types of clownfish in the real world. Clownfish can actually be split into many different species and subspecies, each with its own distinctive appearance that sets it apart from the rest.
Here are 15 popular types of clownfish that you should know about when choosing your next fish pet.
Types of clownfish
Snowflake Clownfish
The snowflake clownfish is a saltwater fish that is native to the Indian Ocean. Snowflake clownfish are less aggressive than other types of clownfish and make great additions to a beginner’s saltwater aquarium. Males are more brightly colored than females, but both sexes have vertical stripes on their bodies. The color of these stripes varies from white to yellowish-orange.
Picasso Clownfish
The Picasso clownfish is one of the most popular types of clownfish. This type of clownfish was first discovered on a reef near Chuuk Lagoon, Micronesia in 1987. The first two letters of the species name, cirrhilabrus, signify that this is a member of the subgenus Cirrhilabrus and the last part, picasso, signifies that it is a member of the genus Cirrhilabrus.
One of the distinctive features that distinguish Picasso clownfish from other members of the genus Cirrhilabrus is its rounder head shape. They also have more distinct lines on their body than other varieties, making them easy to identify.
Frostbite Clownfish
The Frostbite Clownfish has unique coloring and is often confused with the Crowned Clownfish. It’s only found in the waters of Australia and is listed as near threatened on the IUCN Red List. This fish can grow to a length of 3 inches.
They have a relatively high tolerance for warmer water than other species, making them popular among hobbyists around the world. The coloration of this clownfish ranges from white to pink or red. These beautiful fish are one of the most commonly bred clownfish in captivity.
Wyoming White Clownfish
The Wyoming White Clownfish is a popular variation of the clownfish species. They have a brownish to white stripe that runs along their body and they are usually found in pairs or as a pair with an anemone. This particular type of clownfish has been known to live up to 15 years and they can grow up to 10 inches long.
They are also noted for being one of the few fish that can survive at temperatures above 86 degrees Fahrenheit. It is very important to note, however, that these particular clownfish will only eat invertebrates.
While this may not be such a bad thing, it does make it difficult if you’re trying to feed them as many people will feed other types of fish other food sources. They do enjoy eating shrimp pellets, so this could be used if you want to try something different.
Phantom Clownfish
The Phantom Clownfish is the most common type of clownfish and can be found in oceans all over the world. The fish’s coloration is typically a dark blue with green-yellow stripes or spots. The fish has a white stripe that runs from its nose to its tail, as well as bright blue eyes.
It can grow up to five inches in length but usually stays around 3.5 inches long. The smaller size makes it easier for this particular species of clownfish to evade predators and survive at higher temperatures than other types of clownfish like the Clarkii Clownfish.
Domino Clownfish
The Domino Clownfish is a species of clownfish that lives in the ocean and can be found in the Western Pacific, Australia, and Indonesia. They are black-and-white striped fish with some yellow on their fins. They are also known as the white-striped or black-and-white lined clown fish.
They live around large sponges for protection from predators. Their average size ranges from 2 to 3 inches long, which makes them one of the largest types of clownfish. These small fishes usually eat crustaceans, zooplankton, algae, coral polyps, and other various small invertebrates.
This variety of clownfish has been observed living at depths of over 150 feet below the surface. These types of fish are oviparous so they lay eggs that need to be fertilized externally by a male before they hatch.
Darwin Black Ocellaris Clownfish
The Darwin Black Ocellaris Clownfish is one of the most popular types of clownfish. This type of clownfish is black and white, with a large orange ocellus on its forehead. It is commonly found in the Red Sea and Coral Triangle region, but it can also be found in the Indian Ocean, Hawaii, and East Australia.
This type of clownfish lives in areas with strong currents that offer plenty of algae for them to feed on. They are territorial creatures, so they should not be kept with other members of the same species. If you do choose to keep this species together make sure you have plenty of hiding spots for each individual so they are not continuously harassed by the others.
When it comes time to breed these guys know when to take things slow and easy. These guys need an aquarium setup that will provide both open spaces as well as some plants for cover against predators such as sharks or larger fishes.
Midnight Clownfish
The midnight clownfish is a deep-sea species of fish that is found in the Western Pacific Ocean. It is typically found at a depth of 600 to 1300 meters below the surface, though it can be seen as deep as 1500 meters below the surface. They are also known as black coral clowns or black perch.
The average length of a Midnight clownfish is just over two inches long and they are usually dark brown in color with lighter colored stripes on their body. The male will have a white spot near its head, which gives it its common name. There has been some speculation about whether this fish is actually a separate species from the southern clownfish or if it’s simply due to its natural color variation.
Black Storm Clownfish
The black storm clownfish is a member of the Amphiprion ocellaris species. It can be found in the Indo-Pacific region and is most commonly found in the Persian Gulf and around Sri Lanka. The fish has a dark brown body with black stripes running vertically, down each side of its body. They also have orange eyes and white tips on their fins.
A different variation is a greenback or blue back which are morphs of this same type. These variations show darker bodies that have shades of green or blue instead of brown. The electric yellowtail clownfish, also a member of this family, has bright yellow fins with bright yellow tails that help it to blend in well with coral reefs as well as make it easier for predators to see them.
Snow Storm Clownfish
The snow storm clownfish is a very rare species of clownfish. They are found in the waters near Japan, and are typically found at an average depth of 300 feet. They can grow to be up to 3 inches long and have vibrant colors that typically include white and purple stripes on their head, body, fins, and tail.
Snowstorm clownfish live singly or in pairs but they will not tolerate other members of their species around them as it may lead to aggression. They feed off of invertebrates such as shrimp, crabs, and mollusks. These fish prefer temperatures between 76°F and 79°F with water salinity between 34ppt and 38ppt.
Tomato Clownfish
The Tomato Clownfish is a species of clownfish that live in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. They can be found as deep as 2,000 meters below the surface. They are also able to tolerate water temperatures from 25°C to 30°C (77°F to 86°F) which makes them one of the hardiest types of clownfish for marine aquariums.
The different color variations of the tomato clownfish come from their symbiotic sea anemone-hosting relationship with multiple anemones such as Stichodactyla tapetum, Entacmaea quadricolor, and Amphiprion clarkii. The more common colors include brown and pink. These colors may also change depending on where they live or what time of day it is.
Gold Stripe Maroon Clownfish
One of the most popular types of clownfish, the gold stripe maroon clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris), is a member of the Amphiprion genus. This species is found in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. It is similar to the other two members of this genus, but it can be distinguished from them by its yellow-to-gold stripes on its body.
Their average size is 3 inches. The Gold Stripe Maroon Clownfish may live up to 8 years in captivity, while they may only live up to 3 years in the wild. They eat small crustaceans, such as copepods and amphipods, algae, and diatoms. They are carnivores that do not make good community fish with other large carnivorous fish because they have aggressive territorial behavior towards one another.
DaVinci Ocellaris Clownfish
The DaVinci Ocellaris Clownfish is a deep sea fish and is brightly colored. They are about three inches long and have a lifespan of five to six years in the wild. The name, DaVinci, was given to this clownfish because it looks like Leonardo da Vinci’s painting, The Last Supper.
Even though they look great as pets, they’re not ideal for beginners because they need a very specific diet and can be aggressive if their tankmates get too close. Aqua-Lung Angelfish: An easy-to-keep species that does well with other species of fish, the Aqua-Lung Angelfish needs plenty of room to swim around.
Nearly Naked Clownfish
The Nearly Naked Clownfish from Sea & Reef Aquaculture is a variant of the Ocellaris Clownfish. A Nearly Naked Clownfish also forgot its stripes back in the anemone, just like the Naked Clownfish. The most different thing is that a Nearly Naked Clownfish still has a little bit of white in a different configuration.
The Nearly Naked Clownfish, the Lesser Clownfish, is a species of saltwater fish that lives in Indo-Pacific waters. They are commonly found in coral reefs near the shoreline. These clownfish have a white belly with faint black stripes and their tail fins are bright orange.
The coloration helps them camouflage in corals and plant life. They can grow up to five inches long and are often seen living in groups of 10 to 20 individuals.
Longfin Mocha Clownfish
If you’re a fan of Finding Nemo and Finding Dory, you will be happy to know that the Longfin Mocha Clownfish is one of the 15 popular types of clownfish. This type of clownfish is characterized by its long fin which starts at the front of its head.
The coloration of these fish ranges from light brown to black with an occasional white stripe along their sides. These types of clownfish are known for being aggressive towards other members of the same species, but they tend to be docile around other species.
I would not recommend keeping this type of clownfish with a Maroon Clownfish because they are very territorial and will attack any nearby Maroon Clownfish without hesitation. For this reason, it is best to keep them in separate tanks if there is any chance of coming into contact with another species or different members of the same species.
Where do clownfish live?
Clownfish live in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. They are most commonly found in coral reefs. They can also be found near anemones, sea sponges, and tunicates. Their habitats can be found in warm waters such as the Red Sea and the Pacific Ocean, on sheltered reefs or lagoons within anemones.
What do clownfish eat?
As omnivores, clownfish feed mainly on small zooplankton, such as copepods, tunicate larvae, and algae, as well as some macrozooplankton.
