Compatibility guide

Ocellaris Clownfish tank mates

What fish, coral, and inverts can live with the Ocellaris Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris). Tank mate compatibility broken into good / caution / avoid buckets - tank size minimum: 20 gallons minimum.

✓ Compatible (good tank mates)

These species coexist well with the Ocellaris Clownfish in an appropriately-sized tank.

✓
Royal Gramma - Different niche, peaceful
✓
Yellow Tang - Larger but reef-safe
✓
Six-Line Wrasse - Different niche
✓
Firefish Goby - Different niche
✓
Banggai Cardinalfish - Peaceful + slow
✓
Pajama Cardinalfish - Peaceful schooler
✓
Cleaner shrimp - Cleaning station
✓
Bubble-tip anemone - Natural host (50% chance with captive-bred)
✓
Most cleanup crew - Hermits, snails, shrimp

⚠ Caution (compatible with management)

Workable pairings if the tank is large enough or the introduction is staged correctly.

⚠
Other clownfish species - Conspecific aggression - introduce a bonded pair, never two singles of different species
⚠
Damselfish - Same family - territorial behavior
⚠
Aggressive hawkfish - Will harass clownfish at adult size

✕ Avoid (incompatible tank mates)

Don't combine these with the Ocellaris Clownfish. Outcome is usually death of one species or chronic stress.

✕
Lionfish - Predator
✕
Eels - Predator
✕
Triggers - Become aggressive at adult size
✕
Large groupers - Predator

Stocking notes

Ocellaris are the most peaceful of the clownfish complex. Captive-bred specimens are far less territorial than wild-caught. Add as a bonded pair (one larger female + one smaller male) for the smoothest introduction. They will defend a 6-12 inch territory around their hosting anemone or coral.

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