The Deluxe Clarki Clownfish is the newest domesticated clownfish strain to be released by Oceans, Reefs & Aquariums, better known as ORA. This new clownfish strain is interesting not for having crazy snowflake, picasso or lightning patterns, but instead for a being a more reserved clownfish strain.
Rather than developing crazy barring patterns, in the Deluxe Clarki Clownfish ORA aimed to accentuate some other attractive traits, especially the bright yellow-orange body coloration and missing mid-bar. The barring is reduced in the Clarki Deluxe, but the headstripe and optional mid-body stripe or spot is edged by a dark black border giving it a bold outline.
The Deluxe Clarki is just the latest in a long line of Amphiprion clarki strains that ORA has worked with over the years. The clarki clownfish can vary widely in appearance over its range and ORA developed the Deluxe Clarki Clownfish from fish originating from the Solomon Islands, which are usually known for having a deep black body color.
Interestingly, one of ORA’s Solomon Island Clarki clownfish pairs started producing offspring with a misbarred pattern, rare for this highly conservative species. Interestingly, the Deluxe Clarki Clownfish looks bright yellow in the body due to being grown in lower light, but it will develop deeper darker body color with light colored fins and face in brighter reef aquarium lighting. [ORA]
