What Species of Clown Is this???

[OCDP]

Hey guys... my first post here... I really enjoy the site.. it's great. I am 18, just setup my first reef on August 31st... I love the hobby, it's great.

My question is...

I bought 2 tank-raised percula's from Big Al's... but then when I was using RC and posted a pic of them, I was told they were tank-raised Ocellaris (I didn't think Big Al's would screw up the species) So for the longest time I have been thinking they are Ocellaris... but today on RC, someone viewed my pics and told me they were Percula's lol. I figure some of you reefers should be able to tell... sorry for the not so great pictures.. .I'll snap some better ones in the future.

http://www.sendpix.com/albums/04102917/a1qnmdxwr5/

Thanks in advance

[AJ_77]

Ocellaris (False Percula). Welcome to the board!

[OCDP]

Hey!

Thanks for the speedy reply... and I have a feeling your going to be seeing a lot of me hahaha.

Are you 100% sure it's an Ocellaris? Big Al's had them for $14.99 each marked as "Tank-Raised Percula's" ...

Thanks again
Scott

[dirtyreefer]

yup they're definitely Ocellaris...

[OCDP]

Cool, thanks for clearing that up.

How do you know *for sure* that it's an Ocellaris? I'm not saying your wrong, just curious as to how you tell the two apart so distinctly.

Thanks,
Scott

[AJ_77]

Generally speaking, the Ocellaris Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) lacks the more obvious black colouring between the bands on the body, commonly found in Amphiprion percula. Specifically,

"It has 11 dorsal spines (10 in A.percula), and 17 pectoral rays (16 in A.percula)." - from http://www.amonline.net.au/fishes/fi...h/apercula.htm

So if you want to know for SURE, get counting.

Actually, here's a good page - scroll down to similar species: http://www.edge-of-reef.com/pomacent...cellarisen.htm - see if yours matches one of these.

[OCDP]

I don't really know.. they are still fairly small as you can see.. but I don't think it resembles an adult like you showed me... I'm sure it is an Ocellaris.. I guess time will tell?

[mr_alberta]

Usually True Percula clownfish also cost a lot more than $14.99...unless they jacked up Edmonton price for them!

[Delphinus]

I think captive bred percs may lose their black banding, and forget trying to count dorsal spines unless you like a whole lotta frustration. "Hold still I say!" What's worse, even if you did count them, dollars to donuts you'll count 10. And technically percs can have 9 or 10, and ocellaris can have 10 or 11. Whee! Guess how many MY percularis fish have??

I couldn't see the pictures you posted because of some firewall issue (Stupid McAfee).

Anyhow, one method that clownfish guys swear by, is the colour of the ring around the eye. If it's clear (or orange), it's A. ocellaris. And if it's dark, muddy, or outright back then it's A. percula.

HTH

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

I vote Ocellaris not Perc as well. They look just like every Oc I've ever had. The price also indicates TR Oc. Just my $.02