Furry Diary

Not furry, but we like them anyway.

Snowflake Clownfish

Amphiprion ocellaris

Also called Snowflake Ocellaris, Snowflake Ocellaris Clownfish

VarietyShort profile

From Captive-bred designer form of the ocellaris clownfish that first appeared around 1999 at Tropical Marine Centre (TMC) in the United Kingdom1

A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.

At a glance the quick version

Length8 to 11 cm23
Lifespan6 to 12 years456
Sizesmall
Every fish has a one-of-a-kind pattern
Easy care level, like the classic ocellaris
Peaceful by clownfish standards
13

Looks how to spot one

Coloursorange with irregular white patchesblack snowflake (black body with white patches)1

Personality what they are like

Shares the relaxed nature of the standard ocellaris clownfish: gentle with most tank mates while still guarding its own little patch.37

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Prefers to hover near a chosen home base such as an anemone, coral or rock instead of swimming laps around the tank.67

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

A fully marine fish. Suggested aquarium water: about 22 to 26 °C (72 to 78 °F), pH 8.1 to 8.4, carbonate hardness 8 to 12 dKH and specific gravity 1.020 to 1.025. Rated easy to care for, and it does not need an anemone to do well.3

Home where they are happiest

A saltwater reef or fish-only aquarium of at least about 76 L (20 US gallons), with rockwork or a host to settle into.37

Food basics what goes in the bowl

An omnivore that accepts marine flakes, pellets and frozen meaty foods, plus some algae-based food.37

Company who they like around

Usually kept singly or as a bonded pair; two young fish will pair up, with the bigger one becoming the female.72

The story where it all began

The snowflake pattern turned up by chance around 1999, when two normal-looking ocellaris pairs at the UK's Tropical Marine Centre now and then produced heavily white babies. At first breeders saw the extra white as a flaw, yet about 100 fish went to the United States. ORA obtained its first snowflakes from TMC in 2005 and has since developed a sturdier, more colourful line.1

Fun facts for the dinner table

  1. 1

    The snowflake look was a happy accident: it showed up in roughly one out of every few spawns from ordinary-looking parents.1

  2. 2

    When it first appeared, the extra white was thought to be an unwanted fault.1

  3. 3

    Each fish is checked by a grader who scores the amount of white and how attractive the pattern is.1

  4. 4

    Clownfish can tell each other apart by counting white bars, so a heavily patterned snowflake may look quite different to its tank mates.8

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List
Parent species Amphiprion ocellaris assessed as Least Concern; the snowflake is a captive-bred pattern variety2
ORA (aquaculture breeder)
Bred and graded as Snowflake, Premium Snowflake and Black Snowflake selections1

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Snowflake Clownfish. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

Tell me when it launches

Owner questions the things everyone asks

How often should I feed my Snowflake Clownfish?

Feed small amounts once or twice daily. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests feeding every day with small portions. This gentle fish enjoys a varied diet of marine flakes, pellets, and frozen foods.37 Furry Diary plan

What does a Snowflake Clownfish eat, and what should it never eat?

It eats marine flakes, pellets, frozen meaty foods, and algae-based foods. For foods to avoid, it's best to ask a vet or breeder, as this isn't covered in the available information.37

How much space does a Snowflake Clownfish need?

A minimum of about 76 liters (20 US gallons) for a saltwater aquarium. This gives your clownfish room to hover near its chosen home base, like a rock or coral.37

What temperature, light or water does a Snowflake Clownfish need?

Water temperature should be 22, 26°C (72, 78°F), pH 8.1, 8.4, carbonate hardness 8, 12 dKH, and specific gravity 1.020, 1.025. Standard reef lighting is fine, and it doesn't need an anemone to thrive.3

How often should I clean a Snowflake Clownfish's home?

Furry Diary's plan suggests daily temperature checks, weekly glass cleaning and water testing, and a 10, 20% water change every two weeks. Also top up evaporation daily with fresh RO water. Furry Diary plan

Can a Snowflake Clownfish live with others?

Yes, it's gentle with most tank mates but guards its own patch. It's best kept singly or as a bonded pair; two young fish will pair up naturally, with the larger becoming female.372

How long does a Snowflake Clownfish live?

With proper care, this charming fish can live 6 to 12 years. A stable, clean aquarium and good diet help it reach its full lifespan.456

Can I handle a Snowflake Clownfish?

Handling is not recommended, this fish is delicate and should stay in water. If you must move it, ask a vet or breeder for safe methods.

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.

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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.

  1. ORA: Snowflake Clownfish orafarm.comused for origin, history, pattern, grading, varieties
  2. FishBase: Amphiprion ocellaris fishbase.seused for size, IUCN status of parent species
  3. LiveAquaria: Ocellaris Clownfish quick stats liveaquaria.comused for care level, temperament, tank size, water parameters, diet
  4. Florida Museum of Natural History: Clown Anemonefish floridamuseum.ufl.eduused for lifespan
  5. Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan): Amphiprion ocellaris animaldiversity.orgused for lifespan
  6. Aquarium of the Pacific: Clown Anemonefish aquariumofpacific.orgused for lifespan, home-base behaviour
  7. Wikipedia: Ocellaris clownfish en.wikipedia.orgused for pairing, diet, territory
  8. Wikipedia: Amphiprioninae en.wikipedia.orgused for bar counting
  9. VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
  10. ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
  11. ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
  12. ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
  13. 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.