true or false?

[Sapi]

I'm going to get a pair of clown fish and having read up on the differences between true and false clown fish wondered what people think is the best bet? It's a 225l tank and I'll be adding corals and other peaceful fish down the line
Thanks

 

[AdamNC]

Their both basically the same. Each species can be peaceful or semi-aggressive. Although some have said the Ocelleris(false) is easier to keep then the Percula(true). Really comes down to a matter of preference.

 

[brett559]

In my experience clowns are bullet-proof - they are all easy to keep. Maroons get very aggressive, though.

 

[POOLSCAPES]

I would recommend picking the type of clown fish pattern you like best. I have three types now. I want 7 when I am all down in my tanks. I hope this helps.

 

[SoloChromis]

Personally, I much prefer the "true" percula clowns, over the "false" ocellaris clowns for a variety of reasons (keep in mind these are all based on my own personal experiences)

* Perculas are far more peaceful with tankmates, each other, as well as myself and easier to pair up than the ocellaris IME

* Perculas are much nicer looking IMO. A lot of ocellaris clowns grow to be a kind of burnt, brownish orange as they get larger

... Ultimately it's up to you. I know of plenty of people that prefer the ocellaris species over the percula, and vice versa. Keep in mind both species have different designer versions (if that's what you're into)

Percula : Picasso, Platinum
Ocellaris : Snowflake, Caramel, Black Snowflake, Naked, Domino, Midnight, Black Ice, Black & White etc.

. . . Good luck! :dance:

 

[snorvich]

Personally, I much prefer the "true" percula clowns, over the "false" ocellaris clowns for a variety of reasons (keep in mind these are all based on my own personal experiences)

* Perculas are far more peaceful with tankmates, each other, as well as myself and easier to pair up than the ocellaris IME

* Perculas are much nicer looking IMO. A lot of ocellaris clowns grow to be a kind of burnt, brownish orange as they get larger

... Ultimately it's up to you. I know of plenty of people that prefer the ocellaris species over the percula, and vice versa. Keep in mind both species have different designer versions (if that's what you're into)

Percula : Picasso, Platinum
Ocellaris : Snowflake, Caramel, Black Snowflake, Naked, Domino, Midnight, Black Ice, Black & White etc.

. . . Good luck! :dance:

I agree. I have a personal mild preference for A. percula but I am not a fan of clownfish in general.

 

[brett559]

My LFS only stocks true percs and designer clowns, no regular ocellaris. I've had my pair for about 8 months and they are not very aggressive at all. I also prefer the true perc coloration myself.

Some of the designer clowns are cool - snowflakes are my favorite. My LFS has no idea what the going price is - he charges like $20 for them...other stores charge 3-4x that.

I personally don't get the black clownfish. Why settle for plain black when you can add some vibrant colors?

 

[lhm nole]

In my experience clowns are bullet-proof - they are all easy to keep. Maroons get very aggressive, though.

Not so much the wild ones..Tank raised are pretty bullet proof

 

[CoralsAddiction]

Not so much the wild ones..Tank raised are pretty bullet proof

+1. I tried 6 clowns (3 pairs) of A. Perculas from Solomon Islands on 3 different occasions, one pair at a time. 5 of them died in QT from Brooklynella and other diseases.
I would not rate wild caught A. Perculas care level as easy at all. Tank bred ones are hardy though and similar to Ocellaris. But I found Perculas to be slightly more nippy with each other and their tank mates than A. Ocellaris.

 

[SoloChromis]

Not so much the wild ones..Tank raised are pretty bullet proof

I've had exactly the opposite experience. I've tried picassos, a naked, a platinum, as well as 2-3 standard TB black ocellaris and they all managed to die off after a couple months (I kept each of these on separate occasions). On the other hand I've had MUCH better luck with the wild caught clowns (despite how much of a sacrilegious thing that is to state in this hobby). The platinum I had paired with my Australian perc passed away a while ago and I plan on getting a WC Solomon percula to replace him soon. There needs to be more regulation when it comes to breeding these fish, I've just seen too much deformities plaguing the clownfish stock in my LFS and everywhere else I look. I understand the novelty of the super extreme thawed bubble gum hybrid clown, but me personally, I'll stick to a nice pair of healthy looking perculas or orange skunks. Just my .02

 

[CoralsAddiction]

I've just seen too much deformities plaguing the clownfish stock in my LFS and everywhere else I look.

This is a major problem. Major. And some people are introducing potentially defective bloodlines into the ocean. It's a huge problem.
http://youtu.be/4fWbXgJtlzU

 

[lhm nole]

I've had exactly the opposite experience. I've tried picassos, a naked, a platinum, as well as 2-3 standard TB black ocellaris and they all managed to die off after a couple months (I kept each of these on separate occasions). On the other hand I've had MUCH better luck with the wild caught clowns (despite how much of a sacrilegious thing that is to state in this hobby). The platinum I had paired with my Australian perc passed away a while ago and I plan on getting a WC Solomon percula to replace him soon. There needs to be more regulation when it comes to breeding these fish, I've just seen too much deformities plaguing the clownfish stock in my LFS and everywhere else I look. I understand the novelty of the super extreme thawed bubble gum hybrid clown, but me personally, I'll stick to a nice pair of healthy looking perculas or orange skunks. Just my .02

Huh platinum pretty sure are not in the wild..

 

[lhm nole]

Huh platinum pretty sure are not in the wild..

read your post wrong