clowns

[jbupland]

how can you tell the differance between a true and a false percula clown fish

[Andrew]

Yes. True percula clowns have a larger black band around their stripes.


True percula:




False percula aka Ocellaris Clownfish:

[zach0660]

Its all about the bands!

[chrisqueenz]

What if you have a complete black clown with the white stripes? (Dumb question I know)

[Rustylugnuts]

Not dumb Its is another variety of Ocellaris

[chrisqueenz]

These guys can lay eggs also too right?

[chrisqueenz]

I mean in an a home aquarium of course...

[Andrew]

Yes. Black and white clownfish aren't as common but only cost around twice as much as you would pay for a true/false percula.

[jbupland]

from what i have read there are 28 species of clownfish

[jbupland]

from what i have read there are 28 species of clownfish

[Noah_Count]

I've got what was sold to me as a Tomato Clown and I've always reffered to it as that but I swear I saw a pic of a "Cinnamon Clown" the other day and it looks more like that.

[jimicasper]

I love clowns

[kathainbowen]

The cinnamon and the tomato are slightly different. The tomato clown (Amphiprion frenatus) is usually a crisper red than the cinnamon or fire clownfish (Amphiprion melanopus). It can be hard to tell the difference (like between the perculas and the ocellaris), but look for a darker sort of saddle patch on the clownfish. If the clownfish has a darker patch like that on it's body towards the back, framed with a lighter shade. The anal fins of the cinnamon or fire clown are usually a sure-fire way to tell, as they can be rather dark and almost black compared to the tomato.

Regardless, the tomato and the cinnamon are very similar when it comes to behavior and care, so it's kind of a moot point to worry about it, especially since many established specimens in a tank won't tolerate another clown being added to the mix, even if it is the same species.