False Clown Anemonefish

← Crown-of-Thorns Starfish
← Blackfin BarracudaEndless Ocean Creatures
Endless Ocean 2 CreaturesYellowtail Clownfish →
Yellowtail Clownfish →

False Clown Anemonefish (Clown Anemonefish)
Species:	Amphiprion ocellaris
Games:	Endless Ocean, Endless Ocean 2
Category:	Small Marine Life
Length:	3in (8cm)
Appearance:	An orange, oblong-shaped fish with three black-edged white stripes.
Location: (EO)	Various places around the Manoa Lai Sea
Location: (EO2)	Gatama Atoll
Time:	Day and night
Dangerous:
Forms:	Adult only

The False Clown Anemonefish, also known as the Clown Anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris), is a small species of coral-reef fish with a distinctive coloration. It appears in both Endless Ocean and Endless Ocean 2.

This fish is widely recognized for its iconic bright patterns and its depictions in pop culture. It is also well-known for its habit of living in various types of sea anemones.

In-Game

Marine Encyclopedia

Endless Ocean

Description

"One of the most popular fish in the sea, clown anemonefish have narrow, elliptical bodies with incredible color patterns of orange, white, and black. They can be seen year-round in the coral reefs of Manoa Lai.

These fish live in close proximity to toxic sea anemones and have a special body surface that prevents them from getting hurt. Because of this symbiotic relationship, they are very difficult fish for predators to snack on.

All clownfish can change sex if the need arises. This often results in the largest male of the group becoming a female. Their bright colors and pop-culture status have made them rather popular fish. Unfortunately, this has also led to overfishing."

Endless Ocean 2

Description

"This jewel of the sea is easily identified by its distinctive bright orange and white pattern. A special covering on the surface of its body stops sea anemones attacking it, so if it is threatened by another fish it hides amongst these anemones for protection."

[The Downside to Popularity]

"Its beauty and lovable mannerisms have made it especially popular as an aquarium fish. However, this has caused disastrous overfishing by aquarium enthusiasts."

Location

Endless Ocean

False clown anemonefish can be found under glows in various rocky areas all over the Manoa Lai Sea, such as in places like Comb Reef. However, they can also be found in the area west of Rock Bluff, on the two tall rock formations surrounding the Gallery of Souls, both in the main ocean and under zoom-mode glows. These glows also have a higher probability of containing other species of clownfish, such as yellowtail clownfish.

Endless Ocean 2

GA

GA

These small creatures can be found scattered throughout Gatama Atoll, both under zoom-mode spots and in the main ocean. They are found at coordinates A-1/2 (within the Atoll Gate), A-7 (by Blue Cliff), D/E-7 (near the Deep Hole Entrance), and G-5/6 (between the Cabbage Patch and Private Reef Entrance).

The lattermost of these coordinates are home to various small schools of false clown anemonefish in the main ocean, while the rest of the coordinates house them only under the occasional zoom-mode glow. They may be somewhat difficult to find under glows, so it is recommended that the player bring Oceana with them if they want to examine this particular creature up close, but are having difficulty finding one.

False clown anemone fish can be attracted to the Private Reef if the Obese Sea Pen is placed.

Behavior

False clown anemonefish will swim around idly in their chosen environment, whether it be in the main ocean or found under a zoom-mode glow. In order to gain their favor, and thus gain more information about them, the player should feed and pet them, though feeding them will usually garner a stronger response.

Gallery

Clownfish in a green anemone.

A school of false clown anemonefish in Gatama Atoll.

A pair of false clown anemonefish in the first game.

Notes

• This is one of Oceana's favorite creatures, though only when focusing on one within zoom mode.
• These fish are used as the chapter illustration for the "Small Marine Life" section of the Marine Encyclopedia.

Real-Life Information

1/2

• Both games make note of the symbiotic relationship between the clownfish and the anemone it calls home - one that is present in their real-life behavior, and something that they are well-known for. A symbiotic relationship is one in which two organisms each benefit from the other's presence; in this case, the clownfish gains protection amongst the anemone's stinging tentacles, and the anemone is kept clean and gets better water flow (thanks to the fish's movements).
  • The clownfish is also an aggressive protector of the anemone it calls home, so the anemone doesn't get eaten by other fish - specifically, butterflyfishes are likely to try and take the occasional bite.
  • The note about clownfish being immune to anemone stings is partially accurate. They do indeed have a protective layer of mucus on their skin that helps keep them safe from most of the anemone's sting, but they also have to get used to what little stinging does occur.
• The popularity of the movie "Finding Nemo" is considered a primary catalyst in the explosion of pet clownfish demand (mentioned in the description from the first game).
  • False clown anemonefish have been frequently captured from the wild with methods that disturb and harm them and the other reef life, as well as depleting the overall population level in some areas to a dangerous degree. However, they have been bred in captivity, which may ease some of the pressure off of wild populations.
  • Even outside of the influence of Finding Nemo, false clown anemonefish are popular in aquariums because they are usually peaceful, they adapt very well to aquarium life, they look nice, and they have distinctive personalities. This is remarked upon in both in-game descriptions.
    • Their peacefulness tends to dissipate if they are offered a host anemone, because they feel the need to protect it from their tankmates.
• The first game says that all clownfishes can change their sex if the need arises. This is true - all clownfish start out life as males, but can turn into females if needed.
  • This is a trait called "protandrous hermaphroditism" (pronounced pro-TAN-druss her-MA-fro-dye-tiz-m). The word "protandrous" means "male first"; "proto-" means "first" (like in the word "prototype"), and "andro" means "male" (like in the word "android").
  • The opposite, fish turning from females to males, is much more common, and is called "protogynous (pro-TAW-jeh-nuss) hermaphroditism".
• Other common names for the false clown anemonefish include ocellaris clownfish, false percula clownfish, Western clown anemonefish, and common clownfish.
  • The reason it is sometimes called the "false percula clownfish" is because it is very easily confused with a close relative, the percula clownfish (Amphiprion percula). In order to differentiate between the two, the false clown is also sometimes called the Western clown anemonefish, and the percula is referred to as the Eastern.
    • The percula clownfish does not appear in either Endless Ocean game.

Navigation

Small Marine Life

False Clown Anemonefish • Yellowtail Clownfish • Tomato Clownfish • Yellow Clownfish
Sapphire Devil • Starck's Demoiselle • Goldtail Demoiselle • Blue-Green Chromis
Threespot Dascyllus • John Dory • Singular Bannerfish • Bicolor Angelfish • Royal Angelfish
Threadfin Butterflyfish • Bluelashed Butterflyfish • Black Pyramid Butterflyfish • Banded Angelfish
Humpback Grouper • Dusky Batfish • Mandarinfish • Goldeye Rockfish • Marine Betta
Harlequin Sweetlips • Marbled Flounder • Yatabei Blenny • Rippled Rockskipper • Red-Spotted Blenny
Bicolor Blenny • Fire Goby • Elegant Firefish • Monster Shrimp Goby • Watchman Goby
Singapore Prawn-Goby • Blue-Spotted Jawfish • Peacock Blenny • Oblong Goby • Yellow Clown Goby
Red-Spotted Goby • Five-Lined Coral Goby • Long-Spine Porcupinefish • Yellow Boxfish
Whitespotted Boxfish • Tiger Puffer • Striated Frogfish • Painted Frogfish • Warty Frogfish • Sea Robin
Southern Orange-Lined Cardinalfish • Cardinal Fish • Sea Goldie • Stocky Anthias • Cherry Grouper
Sunset Anthias • Flying Fish • Chub Mackerel • Japanese Jack Mackerel • Japanese Sardine
Antarctic Silverfish • Capelin • Dusky Rockcod • Bald Notothen • Slender Bristlemouth