Black Mask Picasso Clownfish - Amphiprion percula

Black Mask Picasso Clownfish (Amphiprion percula)

The Black Mask Picasso Clownfish, Amphiprion percula, is a striking captive-bred designer form of the True Percula Clownfish, admired for its bold black facial mask, bright orange body and irregular Picasso-style white markings. Each individual has its own unique pattern, with broken bars, flowing white patches and strong black edging that give the fish a distinctive, high-end appearance. Hardy, colourful and full of personality, this designer Percula is a beautiful choice for reef aquariums, fish-only marine systems and aquarists looking for a standout captive-bred clownfish.

Common Name:
Black Mask Picasso Clownfish, Black Mask Picasso Percula Clownfish, Picasso Percula Clownfish, True Percula Clownfish, Percula Clownfish, Clown Anemonefish.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Amphiprion percula

Maximum Size:
Up to around 11 cm in the wild, though most aquarium specimens are usually closer to 7–9 cm.

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Black Mask Picasso Clownfish is a captive-bred designer form of Amphiprion percula. The natural form of this species is found in the Western Pacific, including areas around northern Queensland, the northern Great Barrier Reef, northern New Guinea, New Britain, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. In the wild, True Percula Clownfish live on sheltered lagoon reefs and seaward reefs, usually close to host anemones and coral reef structure where they can retreat for protection.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–26°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Hardness or Salinity: SG 1.020–1.025

Temperament:
Generally peaceful to semi-aggressive. Black Mask Picasso Clownfish are usually manageable in community marine aquariums, but they can become territorial once settled, especially when kept as a bonded pair or when defending a chosen area. Best kept with peaceful to moderately active marine fish. Avoid keeping multiple clownfish pairs together unless the aquarium is large and carefully planned.

Diet:
Omnivorous. Offer a varied marine diet including quality marine pellets, flakes, frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brineshrimp, copepod-based foods, finely chopped seafood and occasional algae-based foods. Captive-bred specimens are usually easy to feed and adapt well to prepared aquarium foods.

Minimum Tank Size:
A practical minimum of around 75 litres is recommended for a single fish or bonded pair, with larger aquariums preferred for mixed reef communities or systems with more active tank mates.

Behaviour & Activity:
An active, confident and interactive clownfish that often chooses a favourite area of the aquarium and spends much of its time close to that territory. It may host an anemone, but this is not essential, and many captive-bred clownfish will instead adopt a coral, rock structure, corner or other sheltered area. Like other clownfish, they form a size-based pair structure, with the larger individual becoming female. A secure lid is recommended, as startled marine fish can jump.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe
Black Mask Picasso Clownfish are considered reef safe and do not normally nip corals or clam mantles. They are suitable for reef aquariums, fish-only systems and mixed marine displays. If they choose to host certain corals, they may occasionally irritate them through constant rubbing, but this is behaviour-related rather than feeding damage.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept singly or as a bonded pair. Captive-bred specimens are usually hardy, well adapted to aquarium life and quick to accept prepared foods. An anemone is not required and should only be added to mature aquariums with suitable lighting, flow and stable water quality. Provide clean, stable marine water, good oxygenation and enough shelter within the aquascape for the fish to establish a secure territory.

Suitable for:
Beginner to Intermediate fishkeepers

Availability:
Designer captive-bred morph / Availability can vary depending on pattern, grade, size and supplier

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.