difference between Ocellaris and Percula

jjoos99

jjoos99

New member
Like the title says I have a single clown and dont remember if the clown is a ocellaris or percula. How would I tell which clown I have or can they be mixed. I would like to get a male to pair up with the female that I have.
thanks
Jeff
 
Easiest way that I have found is look at the eye. If the iris is orange, then it's a perc, if it is black then it ocellaris.
 
I wish i'd known this a few weeks back. I've got a picasso, so i went to get another and thought i'd bought a perc. I even had the store guy call his boss to double check and they both said it was a perc. Based on what you've said my so called perc is an ocellaris.

The 2 are still both juvies and there's been no aggression other than the usual displays of dominance. Will they continue to live together or should i remove the impostor and replace it with an actual perc?
 
The best way to tell them apart is by counting the dorsal fin rays. The True Percula has 10 dorsal rays where the Ocellaris will have 11 rays
 
smoq said:
The best way to tell them apart is by counting the dorsal fin rays. The True Percula has 10 dorsal rays where the Ocellaris will have 11 rays
Click to expand...

Even that can be misleading if the fish has 10 rays. Nine, or eleven, pretty much seals the ID, but either species can have 10.
 
I can.

Taken with a phone so sorry if they're blurry. The first 2 are of the perc? pretend perc? I tried to get a shot from both the side and from the front.

darcy 3.JPG

darcy2.JPG

And a pic of the little picasso

lizzy 1.JPG
 
It looks like an ocellaris, but it's hard to be sure from the pic's. If I was a gambling man, my money would be all over ocellais.
 
I figured as much, i'll be sure to tell the lfs they're selling occy's as percs.

I just hope they don't suddenly turn on each other, i quite like that picasso.
 
Uh, I can't really name one thing. I've just been working with/keeping clownfish for the last 10 years, and can spot them. A mix of coloring, the eyes, and gut feeling. :-p Sorry I can't be of more assistance.
 
jjoos99 said:
This is the gal I first posted about. What do you all think she is? Looks like black eyes for sure.
thanks
Jeff
I dont know how to resize photos so here is a link the the pics.
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg169/jjoos99/IMG_0054.jpg
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg169/jjoos99/IMG_0044.jpg
Click to expand...

IMHO, one of the things that exclude this fish from being a full blooded ocellaris, is the height of the dorsal fin. It's simply to short to be ocellaris. We can't rule out a hybrid though. They are becoming more and more common in the hobby.
 
I have always been impressed with how much black this fish has. I an planning a fish order soon so I will put in for a perc.
thanks
Jeff
 
Ok guys of experience I would like you opinion. I have the single perc and want to add fish for a mate. I am buying from a wholesaler and the fish are pretty cheap. should I purchase more then one or just go with one and hope it might be a male? I have a 180 gallon tank. Also would there be issues If I would purchase say 2 black ocel. with the existing perc.?
thanks
Jeff
 
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