Percula

Percula is the specific epithet used in taxonomy, most prominently in Amphiprion percula, a species of reef-dwelling fish commonly known as the orange clownfish or Percula clownfish. It belongs to the family Pomacentridae and is native to warm, shallow Indo-Pacific reefs, where it forms part of the coral-reef community.

Appearance and biology

Amphiprion percula typically reaches about 10 to 11 centimeters in length. It is characteristically orange to reddish-orange with white vertical bands along its body, and it shows the same body plan shared with other clownfish. Like other members of its genus, it engages in a mutualistic relationship with sea anemones, gaining protection from predators while the anemone benefits from the clownfish’s occasional cleaning and increased water circulation. Clownfish are sequential hermaphrodites in stable, monogamous pairs, with the larger fish female and the smaller fish male; if the female dies, the breeding male can become female, and a new breeding male takes its place.

Distribution and habitat

Amphiprion percula is found across parts of the Indo-Pacific, including areas around Indonesia, northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and nearby island nations. It inhabits shallow reef zones and often makes its home among compatible sea anemones, such as Entacmaea quadricolor and others, which serve as its refuge from predators.

Ecology and human use

In the wild, the species participates in the reef ecosystem as a visually striking component of reef communities. It is also widely kept in home aquariums and public aquariums; captive breeding is common, and successful care requires stable salinity, temperature, and pH, along with appropriate anemone partners or compatible intermediate tank setups. The species is generally not considered endangered, though habitat degradation and collection pressures can impact local populations.