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Clownfish


seabass

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Clownfish
image.jpeg
Clownfish are sometimes referred to as Anemonefish, and are considered by many to be the classic saltwater aquarium fish.  As their name implies, Anemonefish are well known for their symbiotic relationship with host anemones.  The following Clownfish symbiosis chart was provided in Tank Facts by PalaciosAn:

Clownfish Anemone Compatibility, What Will They Host In?

 
Clownfish are a very hardy fish; however, host anemones tend to have special needs (including: tank maturity and size, lighting and flow, as well as target feeding), and are not typically recommended for beginner reef keepers.  Without a host anemone, clownfish might treat a coral or even a piece of tank equipment as a host.
 
Clownfish are commonly kept in pairs, and will often breed in the home aquarium.  However, raising the larvae requires a culture of live rotifers.  The Kindle eBook, Clownfishes, by Joyce D. Wilkerson, is an excellent reference for those interested in raising Clownfish young.  Captive raised clownfish are commonly available in the aquarium trade.  And today, due to selective breeding, despite being the same species, some captive bred Clownfish bear little resemblance in pattern and color to their wild counterparts.
 
When pairing clownfish, it's best to choose a significantly smaller juvenile for a larger clownfish of the same species.  The larger dominant fish will become an adult female, while the smaller submissive fish will become an adult male.  In absence of another female, the most dominate male will become a female.  However, especially in a nano tank, introducing two females of the same species will result in fighting (even to the death).
 

Clownfish are omnivores.  Once acclimated, they will accept most commercially prepared saltwater fish foods.  However, it's best to feed them a varied diet.

 
Ocellaris Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) a.k.a. False Percula
Max Size: 3"
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
Care level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Origin: Indo-Pacific, Indian Ocean
Species Notes: Ocellaris Clownfish do quite well without a host anemone.
800px-Anemone_purple_anemonefish.jpg
 
Percula Clownfish (Amphiprion percula)

Max Size: 3"

Minimum Tank Size: 15 gallons

Care level: Easy

Temperament: Semi-aggresive

Reef Compatible: Yes

Origin: Indo-Pacific, Papua New Guinea

A._percula.jpg

 

Akindynos Anemonefish (Amphiprion akindynos)

Max Size: 3.5"

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Care level: Moderate

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Reef Compatible: Yes

Origin: Australia, Coral Sea

Amphiprion_akindynos_RLS.jpg

 

White Bonnet Anemonefish (Amphiprion leucokranos)

Max Size: 3.5"

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons

Care level: Moderate

Temperament: Peaceful

Reef Compatible: Yes

Origin: Australia, Solomon Islands

Amphiprion_leucokranos.jpg

 

Pink Skunk Clownfish (Amphiprion perideraion)

Max Size: 4"

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Care level: Moderate

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Reef Compatible: Yes

Origin: Coral Sea, Fiji, Indo-Pacific

Skunk_anemonefish.jpg

 

Cinnamon Clownfish (Amphiprion melanopus)

Max Size: 4"

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Care level: Easy

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Reef Compatible: Yes

Origin: Indo-Pacific, Tonga, Fiji

800px-Amphiprion_melanopus_in_Entacmaea_quadricolor.jpg

 

Skunk Anemonefish (Amphiprion akallopisos)

Max Size: 4.5"

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Care level: Moderate

Temperament: Peaceful

Reef Compatible: Yes

Origin: Indian Ocean, Madagascar

Amphiprion_akallopisos_Aldabra.jpg

 

Maldives Anemonefish (Amphiprion nigripes)

Max Size: 4.5"

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons

Care level: Difficult

Temperament: Peaceful

Reef Compatible: Yes

Origin: Sri Lanka, Maldives

Species Notes: The Maldives Clownfish is a poor swimmer.  It should be kept with a Heteractis magnifica host anemone.

Pomacentridae_-_Amphiprion_nigripes.jpg

 

Orange Skunk Clownfish (Amphiprion sandaracinos)

Max Size: 5"

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Care level: Easy

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Reef Compatible: Yes

Origin: Christmas Island, Australia, South Pacific

800px-Amphiprion_sandaracinos.jpg

 

Black Saddleback Anemonefish (Amphiprion polymnus)

Max Size: 5"

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Care level: Moderate

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Reef Compatible: Yes

Origin: Western Pacific, Indo-Pacific, Solomon Islands

Amphiprion_Species.JPG

 

Tomato Clownfish (Amphiprion frenatus)

Max Size: 5"

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Care level: Easy

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Reef Compatible: Yes

Origin: Indo-Pacific, Fiji

Tomato_clownfish,_Amphiprion_frenatus.jpg

 

Three Band Anemonefish (Amphiprion tricinctus)

Max Size: 5"

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons

Care level: Difficult

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Reef Compatible: Yes

Origin: Marshall Islands

 

Fire Clownfish (Amphiprion ephippium)

Max Size: 5.5"

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Care level: Moderate

Temperament: Aggressive

Reef Compatible: Yes

Origin: Indian Ocean, Sumatra

Amphiprion_ephippium.jpg

 

Two Banded Red Sea Anemonefish (Amphiprion bicinctus)

Max Size: 5.5"

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons

Care level: Moderate

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Reef Compatible: Yes

Origin: Red Sea

Twoband_anemonefish_in_the_Red_Sea_2.JPG

 

Wide Band Anemonefish (Amphiprion latezonatus)

Max Size: 5.5"

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons

Care level: Intermediate

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Reef Compatible: Yes

Origin: Lord Howe Island, Queensland

Amphiprion_latezonatus,_Norfolk.jpg

 

Clarkii Clownfish (Amphiprion clarkii)

Max Size: 6"

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Care level: Easy

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Reef Compatible: Yes

Origin: Indo-Pacific, Micronesia, Australia

Amphiprion_clarkii.jpg


Maroon Clownfish (Premnas biaculeatus)

Max Size: 6"

Minimum Tank Size: 40 gallons

Care level: Easy

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Reef Compatible: Yes

Origin: Coral Sea, Indo-Pacific

Species Notes: There is a White Striped Maroon and a Gold Striped Maroon, both are Premnas biaculeatus.

Clownfish_(Papua_New_Guinea).jpg

 

Allard's Anemonefish (Amphiprion allardi)

Max Size: 6"

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons

Care level: Moderate

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Reef Compatible: Yes

Origin: Africa

Amphiprion_allardi.001_-_Aquarium_Finisterrae.jpg

 

Sebae Clownfish (Amphiprion sebae)

Max Size: 6"

Minimum Tank Size: 40 gallons

Care level: Intermediate

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Reef Compatible: Yes

Origin: Sri Lanka, Indian Ocean

Amphiprion_clarkii_Thailand.jpg

 

Blue Stripe Anemonefish (Amphiprion chrysopterus)

Max Size: 7"

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons

Care level: Intermediate

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Reef Compatible: Yes

Origin: Fiji, Tonga, Marshall Islands, Tahiti

Diving_at_Siaes_Tunnel,_Palau.jpg

 

Photos by image.png.764b7df6a2818ad7ca0b4ddd2d888742.png

 

Saltwater Fish Index

 

Edited by seabass
  • Like 3
Link to comment
DSFIRSTSLTWATER
1 hour ago, seabass said:
Clownfish
image.jpeg
Clownfish are sometimes referred to as Anemonefish, and are considered by many to be the classic saltwater aquarium fish.  As their name implies, Anemonefish are well known for their symbiotic relationship with host anemones.  The following Clownfish symbiosis chart was provided in Tank Facts by PalaciosAn:

Clownfish Anemone Compatibility, What Will They Host In?

 
Clownfish are a very hardy fish; however, host anemones tend to have special needs (including: tank maturity and size, lighting and flow, as well as target feeding), and are not typically recommended for beginner reef keepers.  Without a host anemone, clownfish might treat a coral or even a piece of tank equipment as a host.
 
Clownfish are commonly kept in pairs, and will often breed in the home aquarium.  However, raising the larvae requires a culture of live rotifers.  The Kindle eBook, Clownfishes, by Joyce D. Wilkerson, is an excellent reference for those interested in raising Clownfish young.
 
When pairing clownfish, it's best to choose a significantly smaller juvenile for a larger clownfish of the same species.  The larger dominant fish will become an adult female, while the smaller submissive fish will become an adult male.  In absence of another female, the most dominate male will become a female.  However, especially in a nano tank, introducing two females of the same species will result in fighting (even to the death).
 

Clownfish are omnivores.  Once acclimated, they will accept most commercially prepared saltwater fish foods.  However, it's best to feed them a varied diet.

 
Ocellaris Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) a.k.a. False Percula
Max Size: 3"
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
Care level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Species Notes: Ocellaris Clownfish do quite well without a host anemone.
 
Percula Clownfish (Amphiprion percula)

Max Size: 3"

Minimum Tank Size: 15 gallons

Care level: Easy

Temperament: Semi-aggresive

Reef Compatible: Yes

 

Pink Skunk Clownfish (Amphiprion perideraion)

Max Size: 4"

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Care level: Moderate

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Reef Compatible: Yes

 

Cinnamon Clownfish (Amphiprion melanopus)

Max Size: 4"

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Care level: Easy

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Reef Compatible: Yes

 

Orange Skunk Clownfish (Amphiprion sandaracinos)

Max Size: 5"

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Care level: Easy

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Reef Compatible: Yes

 

Tomato Clownfish (Amphiprion frenatus)

Max Size: 5"

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Care level: Easy

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Reef Compatible: Yes

 

Clarkii Clownfish (Amphiprion clarkii)

Max Size: 6"

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Care level: Easy

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Reef Compatible: Yes


Maroon Clownfish (Premnas biaculeatus)

Max Size: 6"

Minimum Tank Size: 40 gallons

Care level: Easy

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Reef Compatible: Yes

 

Saltwater Fish Index

 

Hey that's a good write up! Thanks for that info:happydance:

  • Thanks 1
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