Is this a ocelaris or a percula

[fkdenton]

It was sold as a tank raised percula but I dont know.

Sorry the picture is bad its hard to get him to stop.

 

[willjeff]

My vote is occelaris.

 

[fkdenton]

Why?

 

[Juck]

Can you get a picture that doesn't suck?

 

[fkdenton]

No, he is determined not to let me

 

[mcrbar910]

I recommend the book CLOWNFISHES by Joyce D. WIlkerson. Upon reading I chose the tank raised o's, but she says Percula clowns and o's have little physical difference. Generally, Ocellaris have 11 dorsal spines while Perculas have 9 or 10, but this is not always true. Ocellaris commonly have 17 pectoral rays and Percs usually have 16, but can range from 16 to 18 on o's and 15-17 on percs. The anterior part of dorsal fin ray is taller on o's than p's, but difference is scant. O's are cheaper. O's live in middle 3'rd vertically of aquarium usually while percs live near the serface. I have also read that percs usually have wider black stripes, and that o's eyes have more black. I would guess yours are o's as well, but I am a "newbie" There are pictures of my new guys in the clown forum too.

 

[Beng]

I would also say it's an Occelaris unless he can tell me he is not an Occelaris.

Beng

 

[mcrbar910]

lol Beng

 

[stykthyn]

ocellaris you can look at they eye. oc's have a black ring around the pupil making the whole eye look large. percs's have an orange ring around the eye

 

[z32tt]

oc

 

[Fat Surgeon]

Occe for sure. True perc's also have thicker black lines vs the very thin lines on the Occe

 

[stykthyn]

the black bands arent a very good test. I have seen plenty of percs that have little to no black. the only "true" way to tell is to count the dorsal spines , which is freaking hard on a moving fish.

 

[Jasonzo6]

Is mine a "true percula" then? It looks like it from what folks have described. Are there any perks to a perc over an osc? Not that it matters, I love 'em anyway. hehe

 

[stykthyn]

you have a perc. when it comes down to it they are basically the same fish. percs are slightly smaller and take much longer to mature.

 

[Amphiprion]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7402163#post7402163 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stykthyn
ocellaris you can look at they eye. oc's have a black ring around the pupil making the whole eye look large. percs's have an orange ring around the eye

I am afraid that is not a reliable measure, either. My A. ocellaris had the bright red ring you describe, only to have a black one after the 6-7 year mark. The eye on both species gets darker as they age, so this would not be an accurate way to identify them. The best method so far is to count the dorsal spines. A percula has 9-10 dorsal spines, whereas A. ocellaris has 10-11 spines (usually 9 and 10 respectively).

 

[Jasonzo6]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7501797#post7501797 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stykthyn
you have a perc. when it comes down to it they are basically the same fish. percs are slightly smaller and take much longer to mature.

Thanks! It's nice to get confirmation on stuff as I continue to learn. Being a newbie, there is SO much too learn about everything... but I'm signed up for life! hehe Thanks!

 

[JHardman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7501940#post7501940 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Amphiprion
I am afraid that is not a reliable measure, either. My A. ocellaris had the bright red ring you describe, only to have a black one after the 6-7 year mark. The eye on both species gets darker as they age, so this would not be an accurate way to identify them. The best method so far is to count the dorsal spines. A percula has 9-10 dorsal spines, whereas A. ocellaris has 10-11 spines (usually 9 and 10 respectively).

The eyes are the quickest and likely the most reliable method for telling an A. percula from a A. ocellaris. The spines are not reliable at all, do to the overlap and common malformation/development, especially in small/yound fish.

But the eyes, should NOT be the sole reason to make an ID. The overall look of the fish, the coloration, body posture, fin shapes, etc, etc should all suuport the quick ID based on the eyes.

 

[JHardman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7501657#post7501657 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jasonzo6
Is mine a "true percula" then? It looks like it from what folks have described. Are there any perks to a perc over an osc? Not that it matters, I love 'em anyway. hehe

I would say your fish is an A. ocellaris. While using the flash to take the picture it has made the outer ring around the eye look a lot lighter than it likely really is. Everything else about your fish screams A. ocellaris.

 

[Jovreefer]

Jason yours is an Occ. not a perc, sorry.

And just like Amphiprion said, the eye ring is not a good way to tell either. Neither is counting the dorsal spines in alot of cases... hello... they can both have "10" spines.

The more you see the clowns the more you can tell the difference by appearance alone. Its not 100% either in some cases but both of the clowns pictured here are 100% occ.

 

[JHardman]

To the OP...

Your fish is most likely an A. ocellaris, but the picture does suck, so I am not 100% sure, only 99%.