How related are they?
Same genus, Amphiprion (Clownfishes): very close cousins
They split at the species level: the Maroon Clownfish belongs to Amphiprion biaculeatus (Maroon Clownfish), the Ocellaris Clownfish to Amphiprion ocellaris (Ocellaris Clownfish).
Find the Maroon Clownfish on the tree · Find the Ocellaris Clownfish on the tree
Family lines, side by side
Highlighted rows are groups both animals belong to. The marked row is where their lines go separate ways.
| Rank | Maroon Clownfish | Ocellaris Clownfish |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia Animals | |
| Phylum | Chordata Chordates | |
| Subphylum | Vertebrata Vertebrates | |
| Infraphylum | Gnathostomata jawed vertebrates | |
| Parvphylum | Osteichthyes bony fishes | |
| Gigaclass | Actinopterygii ray-finned fishes | |
| Superclass | Actinopteri | |
| Class | Teleostei Teleost fishes | |
| Order | Ovalentaria (unplaced) Unplaced ovalentarian fishes | |
| Family | Pomacentridae Damselfishes and clownfishes | |
| Genus | Amphiprion Clownfishes | |
| Species split | Amphiprion biaculeatus Maroon Clownfish | Amphiprion ocellaris Ocellaris Clownfish |
Care, side by side
| Fact | Maroon Clownfish | Ocellaris Clownfish |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Fish · Clownfish | Fish · Clownfish |
| Care level | Easy | Easy |
| Reef safe | Yes | Yes |
| Temperament | Aggressive | Peaceful |
| Diet | Omnivore | Omnivore |
| Favorite foods | Frozen mysis shrimp, Chopped krill and clam, Marine pellets | Frozen mysis shrimp, Quality marine pellets, Enriched frozen brine shrimp |
| Max size | 6 in (15.2 cm) | 4 in (10.2 cm) |
| Minimum tank | 40 gal | 20 gal |
| Temperature | 72–78 °F | 72–78 °F |
| Salinity (SG) | 1.020–1.025 | 1.020–1.025 |
| pH | 8.1–8.4 | 8.1–8.4 |
| Lifespan | Very long-lived for a small fish: decades are possible. LiveAquaria's captive-bred supplier reports pairs that have spawned for more than 35 years; no peer-reviewed captive maximum was found. | Typically 10+ years with good care; FishBase records 12 years in captivity. Clownfish are long-lived for their size: the sister species A. percula has been estimated to live about 30 years in the wild. |
| Breeding | Moderate | Easy |
| Conservation (IUCN) | Least Concern | Least Concern |