Name: Black Ice Snowflake Clownfish - Amphiprion ocellaris
Brand: TSA Fish
SKU: CLOWNxBISnowflake
Price: 94.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Black Ice Snowflake Clownfish - Amphiprion ocellaris

$94.99

Black Ice Snowflake Clownfish - Amphiprion ocellaris

Beginner Fish Captive-Bred Clownfish Reef Safe

$94.99

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Diet

Pellets Mysis Shrimp Nori

Min Tank Size 30 gallons

Temperament Semi-aggressive

Reef Safe Yes

Care & Diet Feeding, nutrition, and best practices.

Diet Type: Omnivore

Ocellaris Clownfish are omnivorous and benefit from a varied diet. In captivity, they should be fed a mix of high-quality marine pellets or flakes, supplemented with frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and finely chopped seafood. Feeding should occur 1-2 times daily, ensuring that all food is consumed within a few minutes to maintain water quality. It's important to avoid overfeeding, as this can lead to poor water conditions and health issues.

Pellets Mysis Shrimp Nori

Behavior Temperament, activity level, and interactions.

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Ocellaris Clownfish exhibit a distinctive swimming style with a gentle, bobbing motion. They are social and often form symbiotic relationships with sea anemones, which provide protection. Ocellaris Clownfish are territorial, defending their chosen anemone home from intruders. They are generally peaceful and compatible with other non-aggressive fish species. However, they may display aggression towards other clownfish species or conspecifics if space is limited. They thrive best in groups or pairs, with a clear hierarchy established, led by a dominant female.

Tank & Aquascape Tank requirements and aquascaping tips.

Min Tank Size: 30 gallons
Max Size: 4.3 inches
Care Level: Easy
Origin: Indonesia

Compatibility Tank mates, aggression, and introduction order.

Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Safe: Yes

Clownfish Reef Safe Omnivore

Reef & Health Reef safety, common issues, and prevention.

Reef Safe: Yes
Care Level: Easy

FAQs Answers to the most common questions.

How can I successfully pair two Ocellaris Clownfish, and what behaviors show they’re actually forming a pair instead of just fighting?

Start with one noticeably larger Ocellaris and one smaller juvenile/subadult; this maximizes the chance they’ll form a female–male pair. Avoid mixing two established females, as they will fight severely. Introduce them to the tank at the same time, or add the smaller one in a transparent acclimation box inside the display for a few days so they can see each other without physical contact. Normal pairing behavior includes brief chasing, body twitching or “seizure-like” spasms by the smaller fish (a sign of submission), and short-duration nipping that doesn’t cause torn fins or missing scales. This phase can last days to a couple of weeks. If the chasing is constant, the smaller fish is pinned in corners, or you see ripped fins and missing chunks of flesh, they are not settling; use a divider or remove one fish. Once paired, they will often sleep near each other, hover in the same territory, and the submissive fish will frequently quiver when approached by the dominant one.

My tank has no anemone. What are some realistic hosting substitutes that Ocellaris Clownfish commonly accept, and how can I encourage them to use them?

Ocellaris often adopt alternative hosts, especially in captivity. Common substitutes include soft corals (toadstool leathers, large hairy mushrooms, colts, Xenia), large-polyp stony corals (frogspawn, hammer, torch—though stinging risk and coral stress must be considered), and sometimes artificial “nem” decorations or dense macroalgae clumps. To encourage use, place the surrogate host near their preferred hangout and avoid high, chaotic flow over it. Housing them in a smaller tank or section where the “host” is the most prominent structure increases the chance they’ll use it. Some hobbyists tape a printed photo of clowns in an anemone to the glass right by the surrogate, which occasionally prompts exploration, though results are mixed. Ocellaris may also remain “hostless” and simply hover near a rock ledge or powerhead; this is normal and not harmful as long as they’re feeding and behaving normally.

My captive-bred Ocellaris Clownfish keeps swimming in the powerhead’s flow and barely leaves one corner of the tank. Is this normal, and how do I adjust flow and aquascape specifically for this species?

Many Ocellaris, especially captive-bred, establish a very small territory and may remain in one corner or near a single object (overflow, powerhead, top corner). Sitting in moderate flow and “surfing” a powerhead is very common and not automatically a cause for concern. For Ocellaris, provide moderate, indirect flow in their chosen area—aim the main powerheads so they don’t blast the spot where the clowns hover, yet still keep detritus from settling. Create at least one sheltered zone with rockwork that breaks direct current; they often adopt that area as a home base. If the fish is eating well, has full fins, and shows normal color and respiration, the corner-hugging is a normal species trait. Reduce flow only if they’re being pushed around uncontrollably, breathing rapidly, or can’t rest without constant fin effort; otherwise, maintaining good circulation is more important than forcing them to roam.

I want to breed my Ocellaris Clownfish pair. What specific environmental cues and diet changes reliably trigger them to start laying eggs in a home aquarium?

Ocellaris are among the most reliable marine breeders, but they require stability and conditioning. Aim for 1.023–1.026 salinity, 78–80°F (25.5–26.5°C), and very stable parameters (ammonia/nitrite 0, nitrate ideally under 20 ppm). Provide a flat, easily cleaned surface near their territory, such as a piece of ceramic tile, a small terracotta pot, or a smooth rock placed where they already hang out. They often clean this surface obsessively before spawning. Increase feeding to 3–4 small meals per day, focusing on high-quality, varied foods: enriched frozen mysis, finely chopped seafood, quality marine pellets, and vitamin- or HUFA-enriched frozen foods. Good body condition on the female (slightly plump belly) and a settled, established pair are essential. Maintain a consistent light schedule (10–12 hours of light) and avoid large, sudden changes in water chemistry or temperature. Once conditioned, many Ocellaris pairs spawn on a roughly 10–14 day cycle. Note that raising larvae requires a separate rearing setup, rotifers, and careful planning.

My Ocellaris Clownfish has started nipping at my hand and biting when I work in the tank. Is this aggression normal for this species, and how can I manage it without stressing them?

Territorial aggression, especially from the female, is common in established Ocellaris, particularly in smaller tanks or once they have a favored site or egg clutch. Biting at hands is a typical defensive behavior and not a sign of disease. To manage it, do maintenance during their “sleepy” period shortly after lights on or just before lights out, when they’re calmer. Use a feeding distraction by adding a small amount of food at the opposite side of the tank right before you put your hand in. Wearing thin aquarium gloves helps prevent painful nips and reduces skin oils in the water. Avoid repeatedly disturbing their nest area or host site; plan rock or coral work between spawn cycles if they breed. If aggression is extreme, slightly rearranging rockwork can reset territory boundaries, but this may also cause short-term stress. As long as they aren’t injuring tankmates or themselves, this defensive behavior is typical for a bonded Ocellaris pair.

Goes well with:

You will receive a fish SIMILAR in design and size to the fish in the photo. This is NOT a WYSIWYG fish.

Black Ice Snowflake Clownfish – Amphiprion ocellaris

The Black Ice Snowflake Clownfish is a captive-bred designer form of the popular Ocellaris Clownfish. It combines a dark orange to nearly black body with enlarged, irregular white bands edged in bold black. Each specimen develops an individual snowflake-style pattern, and some fish gradually darken as they mature while retaining warm orange coloration around the face, belly, or fins.

The Black Ice line was selectively developed from Black Ocellaris and Snowflake Ocellaris clownfish rather than collected as a naturally occurring regional color form. The underlying species, Amphiprion ocellaris, is native to tropical reefs of the Indo-Malayan region, from southern Japan through Southeast Asia to northwestern Australia. Wild Ocellaris Clownfish live closely associated with host anemones, although captive-bred individuals do not require an anemone to thrive in a marine aquarium.

Its compact adult size, dependable feeding response, distinctive coloration, and strong reef compatibility make this saltwater fish an excellent choice for established reef aquariums and peaceful fish-only aquariums. Captive-bred clownfish are accustomed to common prepared foods and may associate with anemones, corals, or other sheltered areas after settling into the aquarium.

Quick Care Guide

Care Level: Easy
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Omnivore
Reef Safe: Yes
Region: Captive-bred; parent species native to the Indo-Malayan region
Scientific Name: Amphiprion ocellaris

Ocellaris Clownfish can reach approximately 4.3 inches, with mature females growing larger than males.

Tank Requirements

Provide a stable saltwater aquarium with live rock, caves, overhangs, and at least one sheltered area the clownfish can claim as its territory. Open swimming space should remain near the front and center of the aquarium, although this species usually stays close to its chosen shelter rather than continually crossing the entire display.

A sand or fine-gravel substrate is suitable, but no specialized substrate is required. Moderate, varied water movement works well, provided the fish has a lower-flow resting area. Protect exposed pump intakes and use a secure lid or mesh cover, particularly while the fish is becoming established.

A host anemone is optional. Captive-bred Ocellaris Clownfish can live normally without one and may instead adopt a rock cave, coral colony, powerhead area, or another protected location. Anemones should only be added to mature aquariums capable of meeting the anemone’s separate lighting, water-quality, and feeding requirements.

Diet and Feeding

The Black Ice Snowflake Clownfish is an omnivore. Wild A. ocellaris consume zooplankton, copepods, small crustaceans, algae, and food associated with their host anemones. Captive-bred specimens generally adapt readily to frozen, pellet, flake, and granulated aquarium foods.

Offer mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, finely chopped shrimp or clam, frozen marine blends, and appropriately sized marine pellets. Spirulina flakes, algae-enriched pellets, and other vegetable-based foods should be included regularly for a balanced omnivorous diet.

Feed one or two small meals daily. Juveniles and newly introduced specimens may benefit from two smaller feedings while they establish a territory and become comfortable approaching food.

Temperament and Tankmates

Ocellaris Clownfish are among the more manageable clownfish, but established individuals can become territorial around a chosen host, cave, or spawning site. Mature females are usually the largest and most dominant members of a pair and may become noticeably more assertive, particularly when guarding eggs.

Suitable tankmates include gobies, blennies, cardinalfish, firefish, peaceful wrasses, dwarf angelfish, smaller tangs, and other community marine fish that will not harass or attempt to eat the clownfish. Avoid housing them with large predatory species or extremely aggressive fish.

Keep one specimen or a compatible pair in most aquariums. When pairing unbonded fish, choose individuals of clearly different sizes so a social hierarchy can form more naturally. Two established adult females may fight severely. Mixing different clownfish species or maintaining multiple pairs in a modest aquarium is not recommended because territorial aggression can intensify as the fish mature.

Reef Compatibility

The Black Ice Snowflake Clownfish is considered reef safe. It does not normally consume healthy stony corals, soft corals, zoanthids, clams, ornamental shrimp, crabs, or snails.

Some individuals may adopt a large-polyp stony coral, soft coral, corallimorph, or other sessile animal as a substitute host. Repeated rubbing and vigorous movement may irritate a sensitive coral even though the fish is not feeding on it. Monitor any coral that remains closed after being adopted by the clownfish.

Water Parameters

Temperature: 75–80°F
Specific Gravity: 1.024–1.026
pH: 8.1–8.4
Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH

Maintain consistent salinity, good oxygenation, and dependable biological filtration. Stable conditions are more important than repeatedly adjusting the aquarium to reach a single exact reading.

Common Considerations

Patterns vary naturally: Every Black Ice Snowflake Clownfish has different white markings and black edging.
Color may change with maturity: Younger fish may retain more orange and gradually develop darker adult coloration.
An anemone is not required: The fish can thrive without one when suitable shelter and stable conditions are provided.
Expect territorial behavior: A settled pair may defend its host area, especially during spawning.
Keep one pair per modest aquarium: Multiple pairs or different clownfish species may fight as they establish territories.