The Western Australia Clownfish is a distinctive captive-bred regional form of the widespread Clark’s Anemonefish, scientifically accepted as Amphiprion clarkii. In the aquarium trade, Western Australian populations have also been referred to as Amphiprion milii or the Western Australian Anemonefish.
These fish are recognized by their dark brown to black body coloration, contrasting white bands, and bright yellow fins and tail. Color intensity and the amount of dark pigmentation can vary substantially between individuals and with maturity.
Western Australian populations of Amphiprion clarkii occur along reefs of Western Australia. Fishes of Australia records A. clarkii from the Houtman Abrolhos and offshore reefs of northern Western Australia, extending through northern Australian waters.
This listing is for a captive-bred pair. These fish are maintained at Pacific East Aquaculture in dedicated systems separate from our wild-collected fish. Our captive-bred and tank-raised saltwater fish are carefully observed and maintained under professional husbandry protocols prior to sale, without the routine conditioning and proactive treatment protocols used for wild-collected specimens.
Clark’s Anemonefish are among the larger and more assertive clownfish. They are hardy, active, reef-compatible fish, but established adults and pairs can become territorial around their chosen host or nesting area.
Care Guide
Scientific Name: Amphiprion clarkii (Bennett, 1830)
Trade/Regional Name: Amphiprion milii
Common Names: Western Australia Clownfish, Western Australian Anemonefish, Clark’s Anemonefish
Family: Pomacentridae
Availability: Captive Bred / Tank Raised Pair
Care Level: Easy to Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive; established pairs can be strongly territorial
Reef Compatibility: Reef compatible
Minimum Aquarium Size: 30 gallons minimum; larger aquariums preferred for an adult pair
Maximum Size: Approximately 6 inches in aquarium care references for A. clarkii
Diet: Omnivore
Temperature: 75–82°F
Specific Gravity: 1.023–1.026
pH: 8.1–8.4
Aquarium Requirements:
Provide an established marine aquarium with rockwork for shelter and adequate swimming space. Because Clark’s-type clownfish grow larger and can be more territorial than Ocellaris Clownfish, an adult pair benefits from considerably more room than a juvenile pair.
Temperament:
Western Australia Clownfish can become assertive as they mature, especially when maintained as an established pair. Like other A. clarkii, they may vigorously defend a host anemone, nesting site, or favored portion of the aquarium.
Reef Compatibility:
Reef compatible. They are not coral predators and are generally appropriate for reef aquariums.
Diet and Feeding:
Offer a varied omnivorous diet including high-quality marine pellets and flakes, mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, chopped marine foods, and other appropriately sized frozen foods. Your existing PEA listing also notes that these fish accept pellets, flakes, plankton, mysis, brine shrimp, and chopped squid.
Host Anemone:
A host anemone is not required for captive-bred fish to remain healthy. Amphiprion clarkii is notable for associating naturally with a broad range of host anemones.
