It’s with a bit of sadness that we report today that it looks like the world’s most famous Onyx Percula Clownfish, “Mamma” Onyx, has vanished after at least 17 years in captivity. With no body being found, the official tang police report has been filed under “missing fishes,” but as the days drag on we’re all starting to fear the worst. Foul play? Old Age? Suicide? Is this the end of the line for Mamma Onyx and her long legacy?

Mamma Onyx was born at Inland Aquatics in Terre Haute, IN, and was a suspected 3rd or 4th generation decedent of the C-Quest Onyx line of Percula Clownfish. She lived in an aquarium under the care of Rod Buehler, and is responsible for the “Rod’s Onyx” craze that had hobbyists seeking out her offspring with a “it’s a Rod’s Onyx or nothing” mentality. It could be said that no one did more to popularize the “Onyx” variation of Percula Clownfish than Mamma. Even in her mature years, Mamma was lusted after by fish and fishkeepers alike. She was so famous that she graced numerous photo spreads and even found her way onto the product packaging of Rod’s Food. “Mama” Onyx even had her own Facebook page.

One of Mamma Clownfish's best known modeling jobs.

Mamma Onyx went missing on December 28 and was first publicly reported missing on December 30. Regretably, she hasn’t been seen or heard from since. She unexpectedly left behind her mate, Poppa Onyx, as well as their latest clutch of offspring who sadly did not make it in the absence of their mother. Public support for her humble servant, Rod Buehler, has been unwavering, and hobbyists are keeping Mamma in their thoughts and prayers. “Oh hell man she is an icon in the hobby. That indeed would be a sad day. Prayin you find her, wrote Marvin Parramore. Good luck Mamma Onyx, wherever you are.

In other news, gossip around the fishbowl suggested that Poppa Onyx has been considering a sex change, bemoaning “all these years I was living a lie…finally I can fulfill my true destiny!”

Happier times - Mamma and Poppa Onyx shared almost 2 decades together - photo courtesy Gary L. Parr.