Not furry, but we like them anyway.
Picasso Clownfish
Amphiprion percula
Also called Picasso Percula, Picasso Percula Clownfish
From A rare natural pattern of the percula clownfish from the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, now produced mainly by captive breeding1
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Personality what they are like
Like the standard percula, it is a peaceful aquarium fish that keeps close to its chosen home.2
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Stays near its host anemone or favourite spot, darting out briefly to feed.2
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
A fully marine fish. In the wild its parent species lives in shallow, warm reef water of about 25 to 28 °C. Stable reef-style conditions suit it well.2
Home where they are happiest
A saltwater aquarium with rockwork or a host anemone. Wild fish live in shallow reef water no deeper than about 12 to 15 m, mainly in Heteractis magnifica and Stichodactyla gigantea anemones.23
Food basics what goes in the bowl
An omnivore; in nature it eats algae, zooplankton, worms and small crustaceans.2
Company who they like around
Lives as a pair or small group led by one female, with the largest male next in line.2
The story where it all began
Picasso markings occur in the wild but are very rare. ORA began its breeding line in 2004 by pairing one wild male from the Solomon Islands with an ordinary Onyx female, and later added more wild Picassos. Much of the Picasso stock in the hobby traces back to that programme.1
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Only a small share of babies from each Picasso spawn grow up with enough extra white to be sold as Picassos; most look like regular perculas.1
- 2
Young Picassos usually lack the black body markings, which fill in as they mature.1
- 3
Percula clownfish have 10 spines in the first dorsal fin, while the look-alike ocellaris usually has 11.2
- 4
A percula pair lays roughly 400 to 1,500 eggs per spawning, and they hatch in 6 to 8 days.2
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Parent species Amphiprion percula assessed as Least Concern; the Picasso is a pattern variety3
- ORA (aquaculture breeder)
- Hand-graded into Picasso and Premium Picasso grades1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Picasso Clownfish. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Salinity checkevery week
- Top-upTop up evaporation with fresh RO water, not salt waterevery day
- Water testevery week
- Water changeAbout 10 to 20% of the waterevery 2 weeks
- Glass cleanevery week
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Picasso Clownfish?
Furry Diary's starting plan is to feed small amounts once or twice a day. This matches their natural habit of grazing on algae and small prey. Always check with your vet if you have concerns about your fish's weight.2 Furry Diary plan
What does a Picasso Clownfish eat, and what should it never eat?
They are omnivores and in the wild eat algae, zooplankton, worms and small crustaceans. Never feed them anything that isn't designed for marine fish, and avoid overfeeding. For exact amounts, check the food label and ask your vet.2
How much space does a Picasso Clownfish need?
They need a saltwater aquarium with rockwork or a host anemone. The exact tank size varies, so ask a good breeder or exotic-pet vet for the best setup for your fish.23
What temperature, light or water does a Picasso Clownfish need?
They thrive in stable reef-style conditions with water around 25 to 28 °C, as they come from shallow warm reefs. Furry Diary suggests checking temperature daily and salinity weekly. Use a marine aquarium light suitable for a reef tank.2 Furry Diary plan
How often should I clean a Picasso Clownfish's home?
Furry Diary's plan includes weekly glass cleaning and a 10 to 20% water change every two weeks. Also top up evaporation with fresh RO water daily and test water weekly. This keeps conditions stable for your fish. Furry Diary plan
Can a Picasso Clownfish live with others?
Yes, they live as a pair or small group led by one female, with the largest male next in line. They are peaceful and stay close to their chosen home, so they can share a tank with other peaceful marine fish.2
How long does a Picasso Clownfish live?
Lifespan varies depending on care and environment. For a more precise answer, ask your vet or a good breeder who knows the specific lineage.
Can I handle a Picasso Clownfish?
It's best not to handle them, as they are delicate marine fish that stay near their home. Handling can stress them or damage their slime coat. Always use a net if you need to move them.2
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
You might also like
Percula Clownfish
Ocellaris Clownfish
Snowflake Clownfish
Black Ocellaris ClownfishLike what we are building? Buy Archy a bone.
All of this is free for everyone, with a source on every fact, and it will never show annoying ads. It was a big job to build, so if it helped you, buy Archy a bone. Any amount is lovely, and no is a perfectly fine answer too.
Archy is our Australian Cattle Dog and chief taste tester. Tips go to 4V3D OÜ, the small family studio behind Furry Diary.
Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- ORA: Picasso Clownfish orafarm.comused for origin, history, pattern, grading, development
- Wikipedia: Orange clownfish (Amphiprion percula) en.wikipedia.orgused for size, lifespan note, habitat, diet, temperament, dorsal spines, spawning
- FishBase: Amphiprion percula fishbase.seused for max size, depth, host anemones, IUCN status of parent species
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.