Black and White Clownfish

[TheHotOne]

I have been doing a bit of research on these, but would like to know a bit more information about them. IE: How many different kinds are out there? What anemone the clownfish like to host? I'm new to the whole clownfish game so bare with me.

 

[iceh]

There's an FAQ stickied in this forum that explains alot of what you're asking. You can check out some retail sites too, some of them have some info regarding proper hosts for each clown.

Secondly are you talking about the black and white occ's?

 

[elegance coral]

I wouldn't go to retail sites for info. Most of them are wrong. They often list this fish as "black percula". It is actually an ocellaris. If we are talking about the same fish, that is. There are quite a few species that could be considered "black and white clowns".

 

[TheHotOne]

Elegance you are indeed correct. I have seen a few places that have them listed as Black and White False Percula. Then some that have them as Ocellaris. Those would be the ones I am making reference too. Do you have any important info on these clowns? Also fellow members if you have any of these magnificent fish could you please post some pictures.

 

[Toddrtrex]

I used to have a pair of them -- the female "forced" the male to jump out of the tank twice -- I wasn't around for the 2nd time.

Back before the male died, and before I sold the female --- their faces were still orange.

the female,

not the best, but the male

Then there are B&W saddlebacks (( A. polymnus ))

 

[TheHotOne]

Very nice looking clowns. Now what is the best way to tell the difference between the two? From my understanding the Saddlebacks are a bit less in price than the other. I want to make sure I don't get taken when it comes time to purchasing.

 

[bues0022]

I'm not an expert on saddlebacks at all, but I believe they are in the Clarkii family, and the clarkii family has a distinct body shape. They will be "rounder" and not as elongated as a B&W ocellaris. Also, the saddleback has a "saddle" where the middle bar extends along the dorsal fin. The B&W ocellaris won't have that.

Also, there is so much confusion in the hobby with naming. A "false percula" is a poor name for an ocellaris. It's a bad term that IMO should never have been, or should be used. It's like calling a "lab" a "false pit bull". Percula and Ocellaris are different species that appear very similar - hence the confusion to many. A black and white ocellaris is a color variant of the ocellaris species that is all black and white (although from talks with a breeder I know he has seen many behavioral and developmental differences that lead him to think they are actually a different species)

 

[elegance coral]

Saddle back / A. polymnus is in a different family / complex than clarkii. A. polymnus and A. sebae share the same complex.

Saddle backs get much larger than ocellaris and have a completely different body shape. If you ignore the color, their differences become obvious. Google "A. polymnus" then google "A. ocellaris". If you click on "images" you will be able to see what I'm talking about.

 

[TheHotOne]

Thank you for the input. After taking a good look at both, I should have no problem with telling the difference now.

 

[bues0022]

Boy did I mess up on that one! I guess my brain doesn't work that well that late at night! My opinion still stands on the ocellaris thing though