Black onyx difference?

[Praben]

Ok, I've read lots of different info and seen a numerous pics, which left me more confused. What is the difference between a true percular clown and and true perc black onyx? Are they the same ot do they have different scientific names? How can you tell the difference? A local reefer is selling a mated pair of black onyx clowns for $75. Is that a good price? Thanks in advance for help.

 

[Winwood]

Same species, Amphiprion percula, onyx just have more black in the margins between their stripes. Most people in the clownfishy world don't consider a fish to be onyx unless they have black coloration that touches the second and third stripe of the fish. However, some onyx are almost entirely black, except for their white stripes of course, with just a few patches of orange, which makes for a very dramatic looking clown.

 

[jt_milstead]

Onxy Percula clowns carry the name Onyx because they have they have an abnormal amount of black coloration on their body as opposed to the majority orange of the common True Percula Clownfish. The Onyx Percula Clownfish will have black coloration connecting the first two vertical white stripes that are characteristic of the Percula Clownfish. Onyx Percula Clownfish tend to be rare. Most wild caught Onyx Percula come from the waters off of Popua Nueguinea. There are a few breeders around the country who breeds them.
$75 for a mated pair of Onyx Percs is a very fair price.

 

[Praben]

So, the onyx clowns would have black down to the 3rd strip, sometimes more?is there any other charateristics to tell them apart? I saw the pair he had a week ago, I don't think the black went to the 3rd strip. This link I found: http://www.segrestfarms.com/index.c...OWN-PERCULA-TRUE-WLRG&Amphiprion-percula.html

says this is a true perc, but looks like an oynx to me. Reefstogo websites pics look like this and labeled as an oynx. Their true perc have a very small amount of black.

I just don't want to get these fish and find out they were actually true percs. What is the average price of a mated pair of regular true percs?

Thanks everyone!

 

[CockyBrock]

Take a look at this photo...this is a pair of black onyx clowns...do the ones your local reefer is selling resemble these?

As for the price...its really about what you like. If you think they're beautiful fish and you really like them, then $75 for a mated pair is a good price in my opinion. I've got a pair of black and whites that I wouldn't sell for $75...and am getting the onyx pictured for A LOT more...and will be breeding them as well...so its all in what you like. If you could get a photo, I'm sure more people would chime in...

 

[CockyBrock]

Also..if you factor in that a nice percula would cost around $30ish in a store...multiply that by 2...so you're at $60ish. The fact that they're mated saves you time in pairing up a single clown..so yeah, I'd say they're a fair deal at $75.

 

[Ben_Im]

Assuming they are truly a mated pair, that's a steal.

Even for just a bonded pair I'd say that's a really good price. Jump on it!

 

[Praben]

I saw them a week or two ago and he wasn't going to sell. He is broke and trying to pay the bills, so possibly my gain. If I remember right, the black was only between the 1st and 2nd stripe. I asked for a pic. I'm out of town today and can't get by there. I did think there were awesome fish either way, I just want to know what I'm buying. I'm still a newb at this, had my tank up about 6 months now (125 gal) and research every day.

Will clowns mate in a mixed reef tank or do they need to be isolated with numerous anemies? My purpose is not to breed them, but one day you never know!

Thanks again all!

 

[CockyBrock]

Yes they will breed in a mixed reef tank....and they don't need numerous anemones; in fact, they don't need an anemone at all to breed. You just need to mimic the natural progression of the sun (dawn, midday, dusk) and then moon (moonlights) and offer a smooth surface for egg laying. The clowns will do the rest....oh yeah, you need good water and need to feed them often (like 3 or more times a day) to get them in the "mood"!!

 

[Praben]

Wow. I did not know that. Good info.

So, in the event I can't get a picture posted and I go over there tomorrow. If the fish only have small amount of black between 1st and 2nd stripe, it's probably a true perc. If it has more black between the three white stripes it's probably an oynx? I'm pretty sure it only had black between the 1st two, it seemed like more black than the average pic of true percs I see around though. But my memory isn't the best. Is that the only distinguishing factor? Can this black vary with age, fish, etc?

Sorry for all the questions. You all are very helpful.

 

[Toddrtrex]

It can also vary by the type of anemone that they are hosted by.

My SI perc pair lost most of their black when they were hosted by an LTA, they have gained a good amount of it back now that they are hosted by one of my Haddonis.

 

[Praben]

The color on the ones I'm looking at is only between the 1st and 2nd stripe.The local reefer told me that the color can vary with age, and generally the black will increase with age. He said these were almost a year old. He assured me that they were in fact Black Onyx True Purcular clowns though. I wasn't able to get a picture.

Can anyone chime in?

 

[Toddrtrex]

JMO...

Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about it. If you like the way they look and the price then get them.

 

[Praben]

I'm planning on getting them either way actually. I just want to know exactly what I'm getting. One reason being when I post a picture to brag about them, "Wow look at my new Black Oynx" then everyone replies "You are dumb, that is not an Oynx". More than anything, I just don't want to be misinformed.

 

[jt_milstead]

Take a look at this photo...this is a pair of black onyx clowns...do the ones your local reefer is selling resemble these?

As for the price...its really about what you like. If you think they're beautiful fish and you really like them, then $75 for a mated pair is a good price in my opinion. I've got a pair of black and whites that I wouldn't sell for $75...and am getting the onyx pictured for A LOT more...and will be breeding them as well...so its all in what you like. If you could get a photo, I'm sure more people would chime in...

That pair is gorgeous!!!

 

[CockyBrock]

You like those JT?

 

[jt_milstead]

Yeah those are very nice. I like the amount of black and orange.If I didnt have Picassos I would have Onyx.

 

[CockyBrock]

I can add ya to my list and keep you updated with their breeding and the fry as it grows out. I'm actually going to start a website for those and my b&w clowns (in my avatar). I'm also probably going to breed maroons and will eventually get my way into Picasso's and maybe another clown..haven't decided yet...

Also, didn't mean to jack your thread Praben...

 

[PayasoDelMar]

As said, if you like what you see and are ok with the price, go for it!


BTW, "Black Onyx" is redundant as Onyx is a term for the clowns with more black

 

[kerusso316]

Go here and look at broodstock... These are onyx http://m26.photobucket.com/albums/Kerusso316/