Types of Clown Fish

Clownfish, or anemonefish, are saltwater fish that can be kept in home aquariums. Known for their beauty and ease of care, there are actually many varieties of this famous fish. All clownfish require the same level of care, but where they're distinct is in their color patterns.

  1. Perculas

    • A percula clownfish with its distinct orange color and three white stripes.

      Percula clownfish include two types: true perculas (Amphiprion percula) and false perculas (Amphiprion ocellaris). Among the most recognizable of the clownfish, these are bright orange with three thick, vertical white stripes with black borders. False perculas have the same coloration as but have 11 dorsal spines as opposed to 9 dorsal spines.

    Banded and Allard's

    • The difference between Allard's or a Banded clownfish is seen in the tail fin.

      Banded clownfish (Amphiprion clarkii) and Allard's clownfish (Amphiprion allardi) are similar in appearance. These clownfish have dark brown bodies that turn yellow near the edges and two vertical white stripes with black borders. Both clownfish have yellow paddle tail fins, but the Banded clownfish, unlike Allard's, has a small white stripe separating the tail fin from the rest of the body.

    Cinnamon Clownfish

    • Cinnamon clownfish (Amphiprion melanopus) are completely dark brown with a single vertical white stripe running down their bodies right behind their eyes. They have a single long set of dorsal spines along their backs as opposed to the two segments of dorsal spines found on the more common percula clowns.

    Maroon Clownfish

    • A maroon clownfish is dark with much larger fins.

      Maroon clownfish (Premnas biaculeatus) come in two different varieties. The standard maroon clownfish is dark orange with three vertical white stripes and much larger fins than a standard clownfish. The orange-striped maroon clownfish is dark orange with three vertical orange stripes with a white border which is itself bordered by black, giving the animal a striking appearance. Maroon clownfish are more aggressive than other clownfish and should be housed with no more than two to a tank.

    Skunk Clownfish

    • The skunk clownfish (Amphiprion perideraion), also known as the pink skunk clownfish, is smaller and more streamlined than other clownfish. It is generally pinkish or yellow in color with a single vertical white stripe behind its eye and a horizontal white stripe running along its back, giving it a skunk-like appearance.

    Tomato Clowns

    • A tomato clownfish finding its home among anemones.

      Tomato clownfish (Amphiprion frenatus) are smaller than other clownfish and are dark orange with yellow fins. It has a single vertical white stripe with a black border running down its body right behind its eye.