Snowflake Clownfish

Looks how to spot one

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

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