What is the difference between ocellaris and percula?

Like the title says, What is the difference between ocellaris and percula? I know that percula's have a yellow corona and that ocellaris's are said to be hardier then perculas. I also know that the black lines in ocellaris's is said to be more pronouced, but are there more differences? I've been curious about this for awhile now.

 

The names are the Latin names for the fish, Amphiprion ocellaris and Amphiprion percula. The Oc tends to be smaller and have thinner lines compared to the Perc. The patterns are pretty much the same but the Perc has bold font lines if you will. The Oc seems to be more docile and hardier because most are tank bred now. I know there must be more scientific differentiation of the species, but that's the jist of what I know.

 

after looking a little bit it seems the they have different numbers of barbs in the dorsal fins 10 for the Perc and 11 for the Oc....

 

+1

Also, both dorsal fins on Percs are shorter and more rounded.

Here are good closeups of both.

Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Marine Aquariums: True Percula Clownfish

Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Marine Aquariums: Ocellaris Clownfish

 

I was always told the only way to be 100% positive was to count the rays in the dorsal fins. The other methods mentioned work but aren't always 100% accurate.

 

Actually, the number of rays can vary- 9 or 10 for Percs and 10 or 11 on Ocs, so the most indisputable visible differences are the height of the dorsal fins and the thickness of the black bands.

 

Number of rays can vary but it should be noted that it is rare. From what I've learned counting the number or rays is a way of determining a definitive answer (most of the time). The problem with the other methods is that they are simply at the discression of the obvserver. Just how thick are the bands? Just how tall is the fin? It will be different with everyone you ask. I do agree that it is possible to tell other ways, just find it to be more reliable for an untrained eye to count the rays. Here's a quick simple link I quickly found that uses all the methods: True VS False Percula Clownfishes - How Can You Tell Which is Which?

 

Ok, well I hadn't found the info about counting the rays of the dorsal fin yet lol. I was told to look at the color corona lol. I told that percula's have a yellow corona and ocellaris have a solid black eye and that was the easiest way to tell the difference. That seems to be consistent with the 3 pairs of clowns I have, but I haven't tried counting the rays of the dorsal fin yet either.

 

the eye thing is true for mine too. My platinum Clowns have a beautiful yellow ring around their eyes, and my domino and black misbar Occ's both have solid black eyes.

 

You are absolutely correct. That holds true for all the variants of each species as well.