22 Types of Clownfish: Finding “Nemo” All Over the World

When Finding Nemo hit theatres in 2003, the entire world fell in love with clownfish. 

The demand for saltwater aquariums and these colorful fish, in particular, soared. Unfortunately, most amateur aquarists didn’t understand what they were getting themselves into.

Clownfish share the Pomacentridae family with their cousins, the damselfish. Unlike their free-swimming relatives, though, clownfish specialized in hanging out on reefs. They are reef-safe species.

Specifically, clownfish formed symbiotic bonds with anemones. (Which is why you also see them called anemonefish)

There are thirty species of clownfish currently known and described worldwide, and they divide up between just two genera: Amphiprion and Premnas.

They take their name from their colorful patterns and their clumsy, “clownlike” style of swimming.

And while the movie’s popularity has calmed somewhat, clownfish still enchant aquarists.

And as long as you prepare yourself for a little work in your reef tank, that’s not a problem. These bright fish CAN work for almost anyone – who does their homework.

Anemonefish

Clownfish lack a strong swimming ability. It’s why they look clumsy in the water. (Nemo wasn’t far off the mark)

However, when you make your home in a sea anemone, you don’t need powerful swimming muscles.

Clownfish and anemones form a mutualistic symbiosis – meaning both of them benefit from the pairing. 

The anemone provides protection and defense for the striped fish. Meanwhile, the clownfish cleans up unwanted parasites and drops morsels of food into the anemone’s mouth.

It’s a careful partnership that requires a little work on the part of the anemonefish.

Once they settle into a new “home,” they need to establish immunity to the anemone’s venom. They accomplish this by creating a thick coating of mucus.

As the clownfish brushes against the anemone’s tentacles, they slowly expose themselves to the venom. Gradually, the mucus coating grows – on the ORANGE scales. It’s the thickest part of the mucus layer. (Which is why the majority of clownfish come in shades of orange)

If a clownfish loses their host anemone, they have to start the process all over again.

But the gradual exposure to the nematocysts increases the mucus layer until it prevents their activation. And the anemonefish can come and go as they please.

Preferred Company

That doesn’t mean that any old sea anemone will do. Plenty of anemones out there snack on whatever fish comes within the grasp of their tentacles – including clownfish.

Does that mean you HAVE to tuck a sea anemone into your marine tank if you want to bring clownfish home?

Not necessarily. Will they be happiest that way? Of course. However, as long as you provide somewhere to hide, most clownfish species will do fine.

The caveat to skipping the natural bond is you may not see your clownfish very much.

Most of the clownfish you come across are shy. And without the protection of an anemone, they won’t venture out into the open. So the choice is yours.

Feeding Your Clownfish: The Safety Zone

Regardless of which clownfish species you fancy, they’re all omnivores.

While they dance around the tentacles of their anemone, they pick up zooplankton, algae, and the undigested leftovers from the anemone’s meals.

You don’t need to divert much from that plan in your reef tank. Mysis or brine shrimp work well, either frozen or freeze-dried.

If you have cleaner shrimp depleting the algae, consider flakes or pellets high in spirulina to make up the menu’s veggie portion.

In a saltwater aquarium, you need to set up a “safety zone” in which to feed your clownfish.

This is the region of the tank where they feel safest. More than likely, it’s going to be around their host anemone (assuming you opted to include one in the plans).

Pairing up Clownfish

With rare exceptions, clownfish prefer to stay in pairs, which can get interesting as they’re sequential hermaphrodites.

All clownfish are born males. If no female appears in a group or region, the largest male will change to a female.

If you decide down the road you want to try your hand at clownfish breeding, pick a pair that are two different sizes.

The smaller of the two will stay male, while the larger will switch to female. She’ll turn darker in color, as well.

Types of Clownfish

Ask any young child, and every clownfish is, invariably, Nemo. However, there are thirty different species to choose from.

And genetic engineering has produced designer varieties within those species – granting you even MORE colors and patterns!

Designer clownfish often have descriptors of “Ultra,” “Premium,” or “Grade” in front of their names. These labels refer to the amount of white on their bodies, different markings, additional stripes, or blue edgings (versus black) along the bars.

And when you start adding features? The price goes up. A lot of the time, there are only a few fish available in each variety. Some designer clownfish run as high as $5,000! Think carefully before you open your checkbook.

All clownfish – designer or not – fit within six complexes.

They’re closely related (remember, there are only two genera), and the complexes CAN interbreed. (Which is where some of those designer clownfish come from)

The Maroon Complex

If you want to explore some of the more dramatic designer clownfish, look no further than the maroon complex.

People have taken the natural color-change process of these fish and brought it to a whole new level.

Surprise! The gold stripe maroon clownfish ISN’T a different species!

As a matter of fact, it holds the honor as a designer clownfish. Enterprising aquarists developed the variation from the maroon clownfish (in case you couldn’t guess).

As juvenile gold stripes pass up the age of twelve months, their natural white stripes change over to a gold hue. It’s a beautiful contrast against that rich, deep red color. And when you have a pair, the females REALLY look stunning.

As with gold stripe maroons, lightning maroon clownfish represent a designer clownfish.

You get one-of-a-kind patterns along the sides that resemble a (you guessed it) lightning bolt. And as the fish gets older, the design intensifies in color.

In comparison to their gold stripe cousins, lightnings are on the rarer side. You may have to hunt around a little more to find one.

They may also run you a little more, especially if the pattern’s particularly impressive.

If you want to maximize size AND color, look no further than the maroon clownfish.

They have the honor as the largest clownfish species, topping out at an impressive 7 inches (18 cm) for the mature female.

Of course, that much fish comes at a price. They’re also the most aggressive species out there. If the dominant female is having a rough day, she’ll pick on her smaller male – to the point that he can die! You need to choose your tank mates CAREFULLY.

They do sport a cheek spine (hence their other name) which you’ll need to keep in mind.

Luckily, they’re pretty smart fish. They learn to recognize you as you come into the room. Though don’t be surprised if strangers get a warning display!

The Percula Complex

The percula complex holds the honor of holding the two most common clownfish in the aquarium industry.

These species have a long history of captive breeding, and you can find almost any color morph you desire.

Everyone recite it together: “42 Wallaby Way, Sydney.” That’s right, Nemo and Marlin were common clownfish – also known as false Percula or Ocellaris clownfish.

And they do, in fact, hang out in the western part of the Pacific Ocean.

You tell the two percula species apart by looking at the stripes and the eyes. False perculas have a thin black line separating their bars. They also have darker irises (though you may have trouble spotting that as they duck in and out of their anemones).

The false percula is the hardier of the two species in this complex. They also come in more color varieties than your standard orange.

The juveniles have a healthy reputation, making them easily accessible to every Finding Nemo and Finding Dory fan.

The true percula comes in as the smallest of the clownfish species.

They’re also one of the most peaceful, hiding out in their anemone (and often getting harassed by other bullies in the tank).

And while they share part of the false percula’s range, they’re much more confined.

If you compare them, true perculas have a much thicker black line beside their stripes. And if you peer closely at their eyes, they have a lighter shade of orange. 

It’s a subtle difference, but it’s there. It’s also an easy way to tell the two apart.

Unfortunately, true perculas aren’t as hardy as their cousins. Poor water conditions leave them susceptible to clownfish disease and marine ich.

You need to stay on top of your ammonia and nitrites to keep their immune systems in tip-top shape.

The Saddleback Complex

When you want dramatic and unique appearances, you go to the saddleback complex.

These distinguished clownfish look different from the remainder of the species, and they contain themselves to specific regions in the ocean.

The saddleback clownfish are perfect examples of the saddleback complex.

The middle stripe spreads out over their backs into a “saddle” shape. You don’t see the pattern in any other clownfish species.

They also stand out in that males and females grow to about the same sizes. They form tight-knit family groups around their anemones. This results in a single breeding pair with asexual, non-breeding relatives remaining with the group.

They tolerate other clownfish surprisingly well. You’ll find them sharing space with true or false perculas and even pink or orange skunks without any fights breaking out.

You just need to provide adequate tank space for everyone to feel comfortable.

People usually pair the sebae clownfish and sebae anemone together. However, the two don’t usually meet up. It’s a common misconception that often leads to the sebae getting mislabeled in pet stores (dumping it in with the clarkii complex).

Sebae have dark scales with two white stripes and an orangish face, fins, and tail.

They’re NOTHING like the hardy clownfish people confuse them for, leading to troubles for the aquarists that end up with them.

They take shyness to the extreme. Without the comfort of an anemone, they’ll jump out of the tank or into the side. This often results in death to the fish.

You also need to stay on top of their water quality as they’re prone to shock and resulting illness.

You may see the wide-band clownfish listed as the Lord Howe clownfish. Mostly because they like to hang around Lord Howe Island on the eastern coast of Australia.

They don’t have much orange to their scales, but they hold to the black and white stripes most people recognize.

Wide-bands ARE one of the rarer fish out there, which makes adding them to a marine tank tricky. They like staying in small groups AND prefer having a sea anemone. That’s a tall order for most aquarists to handle.

They are cool in that the center stripe expands as they get older. You’ll be able to keep track and compare it with their aging.

Unfortunately, they also get more aggressive with age. It’s a careful balance to keep in mind.

The Skunk Complex

People often overlook the skunk complex as clownfish. They have a little more unique appearance than other clownfish species.

As you might guess, there’s a prominent white stripe down the back, setting them apart from the other complexes.

Orange skunk clownfish retain the expected orange color, but they have the skunk complex’s white stripe along their backs.

It’s a unique look that will stand out nicely in your reef aquarium – whether you decide to add a sea anemone or not.

That’s right, the orange skunk accepts life with OR without an anemone. It’s hardy and adaptable enough to cope with either situation.

You still need to consider offering hiding places, though, because they have a timid demeanor.

You can also do your orange skunks a favor by setting them up in the reef tank FIRST.

This gives them a chance to explore and establish their territory before potentially aggressive species enter the water. They’ll feel more comfortable and at home.

As you might guess from the name, pink skunk clownfish break with the orange scale pattern.

They come in a soft pink, almost peach shade. That doesn’t mean they avoid sea anemones, though! They rarely move more than a few inches from their host, even during meals.

You’ll see pink skunks in small groups. They’ve even been seen in the wild sharing anemone space with clarkii clownfish and true perculas, with no squabble between the species. It’s a testament to their easy-going nature.

However, the shy temperament leaves them susceptible to bullying by other fish.

And if the stress levels go too high, their immune systems take a hit. Add in a sensitivity to water condition changes, and they’re often too delicate for novice aquarists to handle.

Tomato Complex

When you reach the tomato complex, you start to lose the expected bands the general public associates with clownfish.

They sport a single stripe behind the eyes. However, you’ll still find brilliant color options.

Cinnamon clownfish also carry the name fire clownfish. Both common names refer to the almost burnt orange color of their scales.

As they get older, the sides get darker and darker, while their faces, stomachs, and tails remain a warm orange.

The “fire” part of their name also applies to their temperament. The older they get (and the fierier their appearance), the grouchier they become.

Providing them with an anemone to defend as their territory will help stave off that nasty streak.

Unfortunately, they don’t play well with other clownfish species. You’ll want to make sure they’re the crowning glory of your reef tank.

You also don’t want to go for more than a pair unless you want to deal with potential problems.

You’ll never guess where the tomato clownfish got their name. (Well, aside from the tomato complex – or did that come second?) You guessed it – the reddish color of their scales – a slight change to the usual clownfish pattern.

Similar to the cinnamon clownfish, tomatoes have a bit of a temper.

They get more territorial as they age and grow, and you’ll want to keep an eye on the more peaceful members of the tank. (Or consider a semi-aggressive tank as a compromise)

Unhappily, tomato clownfish are one of the PICKIEST when it comes to sea anemones. They love bubble tips and only bubble tips.

You can TRY asking them to accept a leathery anemone, but they may or may not be happy with the substitute.

The Clarkii Complex

The clarkii complex boasts some of the hardiest clownfish species. You also see the typical stripes everyone associates with clownfish.

There are eleven species in this complex, offering plenty of options for every aquarist.

Allard’s clownfish sometimes gets confused for the Clark’s clownfish. The two are similar in appearance. If you don’t see wide white stripes and yellow tail, though, you know you have an Allard’s on your hands (it’s the easiest tell).

While popular and easy for even novice aquarists to handle, Allard’s clownfish aren’t always simple to track down. You may find yourself cracking open the piggy bank, depending on the size of the juvenile you’re hoping to add to your collection.

This species has a better swimming ability than most clownfish out there. As such, they aren’t reliant on a sea anemone.

You can keep them in a fish-only tank without too many complications. Keep an eye on that semi-aggressive tendency with their tank mates, though.

The infamous clarkii clownfish – which so many other species get confused for.

Ironic, as it’s the most widespread species in the wild AND in the aquarium industry. Probably because they come in multiple natural color morphs (that always confuses things).

Clarkiis are one of the larger clownfish species, but they split the difference between temperament.

In small saltwater tanks, they turn into bullies. But in the wild, they often pair up with pink skunk clownfish.

You have your pick when it comes to sea anemones with this species. They’ll accept anything. (Well, anything that won’t eat them or harm them) It’s one of the reasons they’re so popular with first-time clownfish aquarists.

As you might guess, three-banded clownfish are another of the Clarkii impersonators. They have different yellow colorations, with three white stripes that vary in their width. The color and striping are where people get confused.

And since most aquarists don’t collect their fish, the mystery deepens. Otherwise, it’d be easy.

Three-bandeds confine themselves to the waters around the Marshall Islands and New Caledonia Island. It’s a small area that sets them apart from the rest of the Clarkii complex.

They’re very active, and they’d prefer a sea anemone. Without one, though, they’re adaptable.

Some even pair up with SPS or LPS corals. And a few aquarists found their three-banded clownfish playing in the powerhead!

You’ll also find orange-finned clownfish listed as blue-striped clownfish – mostly because of the pale blue stripes that bisect their bodies. However, the typical clownfish orange scales dominate their body.

Unlike a lot of the Clarkii Complex, you need to take care with orange-finned clownfish.

They have an aggressive streak. They HATE other clownfish. You need to skip on mixing species if you opt for this species.

You don’t NEED to add an anemone to the reef tank to keep your orange-finned clownfish happy, but it’s a good idea.

You’ll help to settle them down by providing a distinct territory. It’ll keep them from bullying other peaceful tank mates.

As you narrow in on a geographic region, you start to find clownfish narrowing their preferences for sea anemones.

Seychelles clownfish stick to the Seychelles Islands and Aldabra. And they prefer to hang around Merten’s carpet anemones.

They have a three-stripe pattern that can cause confusion – if you don’t know what part of the world you’re snorkeling or diving in. Because they’re not prominent in the aquarium trade yet. The limited region makes them challenging to import.

The Clarkii complex specializes in incredibly rare clownfish species. The Oman clownfish narrows its area to the coast of Oman, found at the Arabian Peninsula’s very tip.

Aquarists aren’t allowed to collect from the site, so they’re not easy to add to reef tanks.

Every now and then, a few specimens sneak out into auctions. But the bidding climbs high, so you’ll want to save your pennies. After all, who wouldn’t want a lovely fish with a deep, forked tail that allows it an improved swimming ability?

Because Omans can swim better than other clownfish species, they tolerate life without a host sea anemone. They still appreciate having a symbiont, of course, but if you offer soft corals instead, they’ll do okay.

A lot of the members of the clarkii complex confuse people. Luckily, if you’re out in the wild, it’s easy to tell if you have a two-banded clownfish. If you’re in the Red Sea, it’s the only option. (In a pet store, your chances of mistaken identity go up)

Two-banded clownfish lack the extra white band before the tail. It’s a subtle difference, but it’s there. And against the warm yellow scales, you can usually pick out the difference.

The older the fish get, the more the white incorporates a bluish shade.

Two-banded clownfish like to share their anemones with domino damselfish.

You have the option of skipping the anemone in your reef tank. You may see some problems with territoriality without one, but it’s your choice.

People have mistaken the Madagascar clownfish for the clarkii, orange-banded, and two-banded clownfish. Ironic considering how rare this particular species is.

You’ll only see fish come up for sale at rare moments – and you’ll ALWAYS pay a bundle for them.

They only appear in two locations around the island of Madagascar, contributing to their rarity.

They have broad stripes down their middles and a fork in their tails. The yellowish-orange base coat has an overlay of brownish-black, making them stand out.

What makes them unique among the group is the size of their scales. Every scale is prominent, making the fish look almost rubbery. It also makes them appear “pixilated,” no matter how good of a camera you attempt to use.

If you want your best chance of seeing the Mauritian clownfish in the wild, hang out near Mauritius and Réunion Island.

They’re a unique member of the Clarkii complex, confining the orange to their snouts and chest, with maybe a touch on the anal fin.

These beautiful fish hang out along reefs frequented by snorkelers. They’re also growing in popularity with aquarists.

They stand out from some of the other clownfish species, and they’re one of the rarer members of the group.

If you want a glimpse of the rarest clownfish species in the world, look no further than the Chagos clownfish.

This beautiful little striped fish lives ONLY within the region of the Maldives’ Chagos waters – an area known for its diving wonders.

And while aquarists may salivate at the thought of adding such a rare jewel to their reef tanks, it’s currently a pipe dream. The entire region is off-limits to the aquarium industry.

You can admire the species from images or scuba trips, but they’re not coming to a tank near you any time soon.

Nemo’s Popularity

Maybe Finding Nemo didn’t do clownfish any favors. The standard lifespan of 10 years dwindled to half due to inexperienced aquarists.

People leaped at the chance to bring the fish home without doing their research first. (They’d have been better off with the freshwater guppy)

However, you can’t blame them. Anemonefish ARE cool. They flop around in the water like silly clowns. 

And they come in a variety of colors and patterns that look stunning, set against anemones, corals, and live rocks.

So whether you lost your heart to Marlin and Nemo, or you stumbled over your fascination naturally during a snorkel or scuba dive, clownfish make a delightful addition to any reef tank. As long as you know what you’re getting yourself into.

Which is your favorite species of clownfish? Do you breed them?

Have you kept them with anemones, or do you skip that step?

Let us know your stories and questions here!