A highly variable, very hardy clownfish typically dark-bodied with two or three white bars and a distinctive pale or yellow tail. Clark's clownfish is among the most adaptable anemonefish, accepting the widest range of host anemones in the wild, and makes a tough, active, beginner-friendly marine fish.
ℹ️
Educational only. KinStation content is reviewed by licensed veterinarians but cannot replace an in-person exam. Always consult a licensed veterinarian or board-certified specialist for diagnosis, treatment, or any decision affecting your pet's health.
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Medium clownfish: about 10-14 cm (4-5.5 in); females larger than males.
Lifespan
6–17 years
Social needs
pair
Native region
Indo-West Pacific: from the Persian Gulf and India across Southeast Asia to Japan, Micronesia, and Melanesia
Origin
Old World
Climate
🌴 Tropical
Water type
🌊 Marine
Family
Pomacentridae
Genus
Amphiprion
Part of the Clownfish & Anemonefish
Clownfish (anemonefish) are small, hardy, brightly banded reef fish of the genus Amphiprion in the family Pomacentridae, famous for sheltering among the tentacles of sea anemones. Peaceful, largely reef-safe, and widely captive-bred, they are the most popular beginner marine fish and the easiest saltwater species to breed at home.
From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
Photo coming soon
Minimum
Pair reef
30 gal / 114 L reef
Amphiprion clarkii is a hardy but aggressive clown. 30-gallon reef for a bonded pair, with live rock and optional host anemone (BTA or carpet anemones — not required). Single tank only — they fight other clowns.
Recommended
Reef pair display
55 gal / 208 L reef display
55-gal reef with a bonded pair, BTA or sebae anemone host, and reef-safe community. Clarkii are bolder and more aggressive than ocellaris — choose tankmates accordingly.
M.S. Gorbunova / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Photo coming soon
Ideal
Mature mixed reef
75 gal+ / 284 L+ mixed reef
Mature 75-gallon+ mixed reef with hosting anemone, deep rockwork, and a bonded pair. Most natural behaviour with anemone hosting.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
Photo coming soon
Egg
Fish eggs are small, translucent spheres, often laid in clutches on plants, substrate, or in a nest — or carried/brooded by a parent in livebearing and mouth-brooding species. A dark eye spot and the curled embryo become visible inside as development progresses.
Photo coming soon
Fry
Newly hatched fry are tiny and semi-transparent, frequently still carrying a yolk sac that fuels them before they feed freely. They lack full fin structure and adult coloration, staying near cover until they can swim and forage on their own.
Photo coming soon
Juvenile
Juveniles look like miniature adults but with developing fins and muted or different markings; many species shift pattern and color as they mature. Growth is rapid at this stage given clean water and steady feeding.
Adult
Adults show the species' full size, finnage, and mature coloration, and are sexually mature. Many fish develop sex-specific differences in size, color, or fin shape, which can intensify during breeding.
Habitat & enclosure
Give a single fish at least 110 litres (30 gallons) and a pair more, as they are active swimmers that grow moderately large. Keep temperature 24-27 C (75-80 F), pH 8.1-8.4, specific gravity 1.023-1.026 (salinity ~33-35 ppt), with ammonia and nitrite zero and nitrate low.
Provide live rock with caves and open swimming space, plus moderate flow. Standard reef lighting is fine. Clark's clownfish is the great generalist host, accepting many anemone species including the bubble-tip (Entacmaea quadricolor), though a host is not required in captivity.
Substrate
A fine aragonite sand bed over plentiful live rock provides biological filtration and the caves and ledges the fish uses. Open sand and rock combine well for this active swimmer.
Equipment & setup
Use a cycled marine system with live rock, a protein skimmer, a reliable heater, and a powerhead for moderate flow. Standard reef LED lighting is sufficient unless a host anemone is kept.
Diet
An easy omnivore taking marine flake and pellet, frozen mysis and enriched brine shrimp, chopped meaty seafood, and marine algae or nori. Feed small amounts once or twice daily. A varied diet maintains color contrast and condition.
Behavior & temperament
Hardy, active, and reef-safe, Clark's clownfish is bolder and more swimming-oriented than the percula but generally a good community fish; large females can be moderately territorial near their home. Keep only one Clark's or a bonded pair, and avoid mixing clownfish species. Pair by adding a smaller juvenile (male) to a larger established fish. It coexists with most robust community species and does not harm corals or cleanup invertebrates.
Health
Very hardy but still susceptible to marine ich and marine velvet, plus Brooklynella and bacterial infections under stress; quarantine new arrivals. Their active nature means they recover well from minor stress, but stable salinity and temperature remain important. (Health information is educational only and not a substitute for advice from an aquatic veterinarian.)
Tips, DIY & hacks
Pick captive-bred stock for the easiest acclimation and best disease resistance. Drip-acclimate, quarantine for 2-4 weeks, and pair by adding a clearly smaller juvenile to a larger established fish. Provide open swimming room, as Clark's is more active than the percula or ocellaris.
