clownfish

[miss kitty]

This is probably a dumb question, but what is the difference between a true and false percula.

 

[rainbow grouper]

a true percula (amphiprion percula) will have a bit of black outlining the white stripes whilst the false percula (amphiprion ocellaris) or common clownfish will be the same but without the black

 

[btldreef]

a true percula (amphiprion percula) will have a bit of black outlining the white stripes whilst the false percula (amphiprion ocellaris) or common clownfish will be the same but without the black

This is not the best explanation, as both fish have a black outline around the white stripes. Technically there is no such thing as a"false" percula, they are Ocellaris clownfish. Many fish stores have taken up the habit of calling them false perculas though.
Perculas differ from Ocellaris in that the black outline is bolder and as the fish matures, it spreads more, especially under the dorsal fin between the head and the middle of the fish (usually in between the first and second stripes unless it's a misbar). There is also a difference in their eyes and how many dorsal spines that have, but this is not nearly as noticeable. I've noticed that Ocellaris tend to be more of a true orange color than Perculas, especially as they mature. If you look here: http://www.orafarm.com/clownfish.html you can really see some good pictures of what each variety of clown looks like and the variations of each species. Behaviorally, they're basically the same. The only time this differs is if one is wild caught and one is tank bred/raised. The tank raised tend to be less aggressive, but are sometimes harder to get with a host anemone. IMO, there is no reason to have a wild caught Percula or Ocellaris anymore. There are more than enough people breeding them, that the wild populations really should be left alone. Captive bred are usually easier to care for as well, because they are far more likely to accept prepared foods.