false vs. true percs

[jamal]

maybe a silly question but i want to know why true percs are more expensive than false percs? what is the advantage of one over the other

[dhoch]

I think it's just demand.

 

But I could be wrong

 

Dave

[jason the filter freak]

coloration

[jamal]

great then i will get which ever is the cheaper of the two. thanks guys

[fab]

Why don't you look at both without regard to which is which or which is more expensive or less expensive, then decide which you like the best. Then take into account expense and make your decision. Maybe you won't like the cheaper one enough to warrant buying it but the more expensive one might really float your boat. If so then save for what you prefer; rather than compromise before even investigating.

 

fab

[jason the filter freak]

I really don't see much of a diff in the two personally except price till you start getting into some of the more wild color variations

[jamal]

yea thats what i was gonna say. i only consider price because they are similar to me.

[davelin315]

I believe the larger they get the more black the perculas get. The ocellaris stay pretty much the same from what I've seen and experienced while the perculas will sometimes have the black stretch from the middle bar to the front bar giving it a much darker appearance. Not sure if that's all of them or just the ones I have seen. Also, I'm assuming that there is a difference in the types of anemones they naturally will host in. Not sure of this, but guessing.

 

Quoted from Fosters and Smith:

 

The Percula Clownfish, also known as the True Percula, or Clown Anemonefish, is normally found in association with anemones on the reefs of Oceania, the Indo-Pacific, and the Great Barrier Reef. It can be found individually, or more commonly, in pairs or small groups within the same anemone such as Heteractis magnifica or Stichodactyla mertensii. Wild Percula Clownfish will rarely exceed 4.5 inches; captive animals, especially tank-raised specimens, rarely exceed 3.5 inches.

 

The Ocellaris Clownfish is often confused with the Percula Clownfish. Unless you are experienced with both fish, they are difficult to tell apart. The True Percula is a very bright orange, whereas, the Ocellaris tends to be more drably colored. The Percula Clownfish also has a thicker black outline to its white body stripes.

 

The True Percula is not a fish for beginners. If you want this fish and your experience is limited, purchase the Ocellaris Clownfish. Percula Clownfish are good candidates for a reef aquarium, however, they are not as hardy as the Ocellaris Clownfish. Once acclimated and eating, they are tolerant of most fish.

The Ocellaris Clownfish, also known as the False Percula Clownfish, False Clown Anemonefish, and Anemone Demoiselle, is found associating with anemones throughout the Indo-Pacific. It can attain a length of 3.2" (8 cm) in the wild, but aquarium specimens rarely exceed 2" (5 cm) unless they are imported large. This fish is sometimes sold as the Percula Clown, even though it is not. The color pattern is very similar, but it is not as bright orange. The black outlines on the white stripes are also thinner on the Ocellaris Clown when compared to the Percula. The advantage of the Ocellaris is that it is much hardier.

 

It is a long-lived clownfish that is excellent for the beginner hobbyist. It does best in the presence of anemones such as Heteractis magnifica and Stichodactyla gigantea. Like the related damselfish, it is well-suited for all but the most predatory tanks.

Edited January 19, 2007 by davelin315

[jamal]

thanks for the post davelin thats what i needed to know.