3 Striped Clown

Species Profile

• Scientific Name: Amphiprion clarkii
• Common Name: 3 Striped Clown Fish / Clark’s Clownfish / Clarkii Anemonefish
• Adult Size: Up to 6 inches (15 cm)
• Life Expectancy: Up to 10 years in captivity (longer with optimal care)
• Habitat:
  • Found in the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to Japan and Northern Australia
  • Typically seen in shallow coral reefs and lagoon areas

  • Associates with various species of host anemones

Tank Requirements

• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons for a pair
  Larger if hosting anemones or housed with tank mates
• Ideal Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)
• pH Range: 8.1–8.4
• Water Hardness: 8–12 dKH
• Temperament:
  • Semi-aggressive
  • Can become territorial, especially when hosting anemones

  • Compatible with many reef species but may bully smaller or shy fish

Diet & Nutrition

• Omnivorous
• Accepts a wide range of food including:
  • Marine pellets and flakes
  • Frozen meaty foods (mysis shrimp, brine shrimp)
  • Seaweed or algae-based foods for balanced nutrition

• Feed 2–3 times daily

Breeding & Spawning

• Prolific breeders in captivity
• Exhibit sequential hermaphroditism (dominant fish becomes female)
• Lay eggs on flat surfaces near or under an anemone
• Males care for eggs, which hatch in about 6–8 days

• Fry need rotifers or infusoria in early stages

Appearance

• Bright orange to brown body depending on age and region
• Three distinct white stripes:

1. 1. Headband behind the eyes
   2. Mid-body stripe
   3. Tail base stripe

• Black outlining around the stripes and fins in mature specimens

• Fins can be yellow, especially the tail and pelvic fins

Distinctive Features

• Bold three-stripe pattern
• Highly adaptive to different anemones (most versatile among clownfish)
• Larger and more aggressive than many other clownfish species

• Excellent starter clownfish for marine aquarists