🐠 Free tool · straight from our care sheets
Compare two species
Torn between two fish, corals or inverts — or want to see how they really stack up? Pick any two and compare what matters for keeping them well, side by side. Every value comes from our fact-checked care sheets, so it can never contradict the full guide.
| 🐟 Ocellaris Clownfish | 🐟 Percula Clownfish | |
|---|---|---|
| Kind | Fish | Fish |
| Difficulty | Beginner | Beginner |
| Group | Clownfish | Clownfish |
| Adult size | About 3–3.5 in (7.6–9 cm); up to ~4 in (10 cm). Females are noticeably larger. | About 3 in (7–8 cm), occasionally to ~4 in (10 cm). Females larger. |
| Minimum tank | ~15–20 gallons for one or a bonded pair; 30+ gallons for a reef (sources differ — BRS lists 15 gal, TFH recommends 30+). Bigger, more stable water is more forgiving for a new keeper. | ~15–20 gallons for one or a bonded pair; 30+ for a reef (BRS lists 15 gal). Stable water matters more than a big number. |
| Temperature | 75–82°F (24–28°C). | 75–82°F (24–28°C). |
| pH | 8.1–8.4. | 8.1–8.4. |
| Specific gravity | 1.020–1.025. | 1.020–1.025. |
| Other params | Nitrate under ~20 ppm; stable salinity matters more than a perfect number. | Nitrate under ~20 ppm; steady salinity beats a perfect one-off reading. |
| Diet | Omnivore — a quality marine pellet or flake as the staple, plus frozen mysis and brine shrimp. Small amounts 2–3 times a day; remove uneaten food. | Omnivore — a quality marine pellet or flake, plus frozen mysis and brine shrimp; small amounts 2–3 times a day. |
| Temperament | Hardy and generally peaceful in a community — but territorial toward other clownfish, including its own kind. | Hardy and generally peaceful — a touch bolder and more territorial than the ocellaris, especially around a chosen host. |
| Reef-safe | Yes — safe with soft, LPS and SPS corals and with inverts. One reason it's the classic first reef fish. | Yes — safe with soft, LPS and SPS corals and with inverts. |
| Lifespan | A long-term commitment — 10+ years, and 15+ with excellent, stable care. | A long-term fish — 10+ years, essentially the same as its near-twin, the ocellaris. |
| Origin | Indo-Pacific — eastern Indian Ocean through Australasia (Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, NW Australia), north to southern Japan. | — |
Quick answers
How do I choose between two saltwater species?
Compare what decides whether you can keep them well, not just looks: difficulty, adult size, minimum tank, water parameters and temperament for fish; light, flow and placement for corals. This tool lays those side by side straight from our fact-checked care sheets, so the comparison can never contradict the full guide.
Can I keep these two species together?
This tool is for CHOOSING between species, not confirming they can share a tank. Whether two fish can live together depends on temperament, size and tank space - use the fish compatibility checker and stocking calculator for that. Use this tool to compare species you are deciding between.
Can I compare a fish and a coral?
Yes. The tool shows the fields each one has, so a fish shows tank and temperament while a coral shows light, flow and placement, side by side. It is handy when planning a mixed reef and weighing up what a new addition needs.
Are the numbers in this tool reliable?
Yes - they come straight from our species care sheets, each fact-checked against authoritative marine-aquarist and aquatic-vet sources, so the comparison always matches the full care sheet. It is honest guidance to help you choose, not a substitute for reading the full sheet.