Onyx Percula Bonded Pair

Onyx Percula Bonded Pair

Also known as the Black Percula Bonded Pair or Onyx Clownfish Pair

The Onyx Percula Bonded Pair represents a stunning designer clownfish offering—featuring deep jet-black coloration with minimal to no white banding, offered as an established male-female pair. This premium captive-bred morph displays solid black or near-black coloration throughout the body, creating a dramatic, sophisticated appearance vastly different from standard orange clownfish. Offering a bonded pair provides aquarists with an established social hierarchy, eliminating pairing risks while providing fascinating interactions and excellent breeding potential. The melanistic (black) coloration combined with proven compatibility makes this pair a true investment featuring two exceptional specimens with bold, striking appearance and engaging pair dynamics.

Key Features

• Scientific Name: Amphiprion percula (Designer variant – Onyx/Black morph)
• Common Names: Onyx Percula Clownfish, Black Percula, Midnight Percula
• Adult Size: 3–4 inches (7.5–10 cm) for females; 2.5–3.5 inches for males
• Lifespan: 8–15+ years with proper care
• Temperament: Peaceful to semi-aggressive; territorial around host area
• Reef Compatibility: 100% reef-safe 
• Minimum Tank Size: 25 gallons for a pair (40+ gallons recommended)
• Experience Level: Beginner to Advanced 

Habitat & Tank Requirements

Natural Habitat: As a designer captive-bred variant, Onyx Percula have no wild counterpart. They descend from Percula clownfish bloodlines which naturally inhabit sheltered reefs throughout the Western Pacific and Great Barrier Reef.

Tank Environment:

• Optional host anemone or suitable coral substitute for pair bonding
• Substantial live rock structure with caves and swimming areas
• Multiple hiding spots to reduce stress during acclimation
• Moderate water flow with calmer zones near host areas
• Stable, mature aquarium (2–3 months established recommended)

Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 74–80°F (23–27°C)
• Salinity: 1.023–1.025 specific gravity
• pH: 8.1–8.4
• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: <20 ppm (lower preferred for breeding condition)
• Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH

Essential Equipment:

• Quality protein skimmer (important for pairs)
• Robust filtration system
• Stable LED lighting to showcase dramatic black coloration
• Regular water changes (15–20% biweekly minimum)

Diet & Feeding

Recommended Foods:

• Premium marine pellets with melanin-supporting nutrients
• Mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, cyclops
• Spirulina flakes and nori (occasional)
• Vitamin-enriched preparations (Selcon, VitaChem)
• Garlic-enriched foods for immune support
• High-protein breeding formulas for conditioning

Feeding Schedule:

• Feed 2–3 times daily for optimal health and breeding condition
• Offer variety to maintain deep black coloration
• Provide sufficient food for both pair members
• Well-fed pairs are more likely to spawn

Note: Premium nutrition rich in quality protein maintains the intense melanistic black coloration. High-quality diet directly impacts breeding readiness and color depth.

Behavior & Compatibility

Temperament:

• Generally peaceful but establish defined territory
• Bold and confident once acclimated
• Highly interactive with aquarist
• More assertive during spawning cycles
• Fascinating pair dynamics with clear hierarchy

Pair Dynamics:

• Female (Larger): Dominant, controls territory, leads pair
• Male (Smaller): Submissive, tends eggs, maintains host area
• Clear size differential with female 20–30% larger
• Display synchronized swimming and communication
• Strong pair bonds rarely break once established
• May become more territorial before spawning

Tank Mates:

• Compatible with: Most peaceful community reef fish including gobies, dartfish, firefish, cardinalfish, basslets, peaceful wrasses, dwarf angels, tangs
• Caution with: Aggressive dottybacks, other clownfish species
• Avoid: Other clownfish in tanks under 75 gallons, aggressive triggers, large predatory fish

Reef Compatibility:

• 100% reef-safe; completely compatible with all coral types
• Safe with SPS, LPS, soft corals, and all invertebrates
• May rearrange small rubble near spawning site
• Ideal for mixed reef aquariums

Acclimation & Care Tips

Initial Acclimation:

• Drip acclimation over 60–90 minutes for pairs
• Float bag for temperature equalization (15–20 minutes)
• Dim tank lights during introduction and first 24–48 hours
• Add both fish simultaneously to maintain pair bond
• Minimize disturbance while pair establishes territory

Health Considerations:

• Captive-bred designer clownfish exceptionally hardy
• Can experience stress from shipping; quarantine eliminates this risk
• Susceptible to marine ich and velvet only when stressed
• Quarantine for 3–4 weeks before display tank introduction
• Pairs often support each other through minor stress

Signs of a Healthy Bonded Pair:

• Both fish active and swimming together
• Deep, rich black coloration on both fish
• Clear, bright eyes with vivid orange-red irises
• Enthusiastic feeding response from both pair members
• Obvious size difference (female noticeably larger)
• Swimming in proximity; synchronized movements
• Female displays dominant posture; male shows submissive behavior
• No visible spots, lesions, or damaged fins on either fish

Color & Development

Onyx Coloration Characteristics:

• Base Color: Deep jet-black to charcoal black throughout entire body
• White Bands: Minimal, significantly reduced, or completely absent (true Onyx)
• Fins: Solid black or near-black with minimal markings
• Eyes: Brilliant orange-red iris providing dramatic contrast against black
• Overall Effect: Striking, sophisticated solid black appearance
• Pair Variation: Both fish display melanistic coloration; intensity may vary slightly

Onyx Variations:

• True Onyx: Completely black with no visible white bands (most rare and valuable)
• Near Onyx: Minimal white marking traces barely visible
• Black Percula: Predominantly black with slight white remnants

What Makes It “Onyx”:

• Named for the black gemstone
• Melanistic coloration replaces standard orange
• Minimal to absent white banding
• Solid, dramatic black appearance
• Among most striking designer clownfish morphs

Color Development:

• Juveniles display black coloration from young age
• Black intensity deepens with maturity (6–12 months)
• Minimal banding (if present) remains consistent
• Color stable throughout 10–15 year lifespan

Factors Affecting Appearance:

• Premium protein-rich diet maintains deep black intensity
• Proper lighting showcases dramatic coloration
• Dark backgrounds enhance visual impact
• Quality nutrition prevents any color fading

Breeding Potential & Spawning Behavior

Why Bonded Onyx Pairs Are Valuable:

• Established hierarchy eliminates pairing aggression
• Already display courtship behaviors
• Exceptional melanistic genetics for breeding programs
• Both fish proven compatible and mature
• Higher probability of successful spawning
• Premium black genetics pass to offspring

Pre-Spawning Indicators:

• Increased territorial behavior around flat surface
• Female’s abdomen becomes fuller
• Male meticulously cleans spawning site
• Both fish display intensified coloration
• Courtship dances and synchronized swimming
• Spawning typically 1–2 weeks after preparation

Spawning Process:

• Female lays 200–500+ eggs on prepared surface
• Eggs are orange to reddish-brown
• Male guards and fans eggs for 6–10 days
• Both parents become highly protective
• Eggs hatch at night after lights out

Genetic Considerations:

• Onyx genetics relatively stable
• Offspring will primarily display black coloration
• Some may show orange or intermediate colors
• Selective breeding increases Onyx expression
• Premium black specimens valuable as breeding stock

Special Considerations

Premium Melanistic Investment: Onyx Percula Bonded Pairs represent premium designer clownfish genetics. The solid black coloration is rare and highly sought-after, and bonded pair status eliminates compatibility risk while providing immediate breeding potential.

Dramatic Visual Impact: The deep black coloration creates stunning contrast against colorful corals, anemones, and blue water. These fish command attention and serve as bold focal points in any aquarium.

Percula vs. Ocellaris: True Percula clownfish (this species) have thicker black edging on bands (when present), slightly smaller maximum size, and more intense coloration than Ocellaris. Onyx Perculas are significantly rarer than Black Ocellaris variants.

Pair Bond Advantages:

• Eliminates months-long pairing process
• Immediate display of natural pair behaviors
• Established hierarchy reduces stress
• Both fish support each other during acclimation
• Higher spawning probability
• More engaging interactions to observe

Breeding Value: Onyx genetics are valuable in breeding programs. Pairs often produce predominantly black offspring, making them excellent breeding stock for serious aquarists.

Photography & Display Value: Onyx Percula pairs are exceptional photography subjects. The solid black coloration creates dramatic images and stands out in aquarium displays, particularly against bright colorful backgrounds.

Collector Status: Onyx Percula Bonded Pairs are highly prized by serious clownfish collectors due to the rarity of true Percula genetics combined with melanistic coloration and established pair bond.

Quarantine Essential: Premium bonded pairs absolutely require quarantine protocols including health observation for both fish, pair compatibility confirmation, dietary conditioning, color verification, and stress reduction to protect this significant investment.

Long-Term Commitment: Bonded pairs remain together 10–15+ years, requiring consistent care and stable conditions. May spawn regularly (every 2–3 weeks) once established. Pair bond is strong; losing one member is stressful for survivor.

Why Choose Dr Reefs Quarantined Onyx Percula Bonded Pair?

Quarantined specimens provide verified health for both fish, confirmed pair bond and established hierarchy, deep black coloration verified on both specimens, established feeding on all foods, stress-free acclimation, and complete investment protection. This comprehensive approach ensures your premium pair will thrive immediately and remain stunning centerpieces for over a decade.