how to keep a clownfish?

Question

hi i am looking into getting a clownfish, this is the kind i would mainly like to have,, can any1 tell me if there is any special requirements to keep this fish and what fish can it live with and not live with? i know they r not good with their own kind

cheers

Answer 1

I personally think they're one of the easiest saltwater species to keep. Their basic requirements are the salinity should be 1.020 -1.026, pH 8.2-8.4, ammonia and nitrite = 0, nitrates as low as possible (under 30ppm). Feeding should be a marine flake or pellet staple with variety of frozen brine shrimp, plankton, mysis shrimp, and krill with some vegetation (seaweed, romaine lettuce) treats.

What you can keep with them will depend on the size of your tank (and the species of clown - they range from 3"- 6" as adults). Some of the species I've kept with them are cardinalfish, longnose hawkfish, gobies, blennies, chromis, dwarf angels, firefish, smaller tangs, rabbitfish, jawfish, smaller wrasses, and dottybacks. They're okay to have some larger shrimp, snails, hermit crabs, etc. in the tank as cleaners. If you keep inverts in the tank, raise the salinity to 1.024-1.026.

The link below gives some additional info on clownfish, along with a list of species with which they shouldn't be kept.

Answer 2

I have a tank with just clownfish, so I can't give advice on which other fish to stock with. I am not an experienced marine hobbyist but we managed to have these fish alive for over a year now it just takes dedication and some knowledge. There is a lot to know so I would go to the library get a couple books read up, go to a pet shop that specialises in marine fish and ask some questions. Here are a few pointers though, first get all the equipment and set the tank up before thinking about purchasing the fish. You will need at least a 15 gallon tank, the bigger the better and also the more fish you can have. You will need a filter that is fit to handle the size of the tank, there are so many varieties of filters I wont go into it. You will need a solution to adjust the pH level to nearer 8.0, you will need special salt from the pet shop and a hydrometer to get the specific gravity right in the tank. You will need to learn about the nitrogen cycle and also get a water testing kit and regularly check nitrate, nitrite, pH, and ammonia levels. You will need a special substrate for the bottom, we use aragonite as it helps maintain a safe pH level. You will need a water heater and themometer to keep the water temp within range. Decoration of the tank can be as you want, personally I only have a piece of live rock to help with the nitrogen cycle and a castle for the fish to live it. I have went through a few anemones and the fish never took to any of them, there are species of anemones that clowns prefer, but I can't find them or afford to keep them lighted efficiently. You will need a good lighting source and if you have a bad memory a lighting timer which you just plug the light into and then into the wall.

That is the main thngs you need other than the fish and food, it sounds like a lot and I am sure I have forgot some things, but don't be put off, clownfish are wonderful. Marine tanks do take a lot of care, it isn't like a goldfish, they will die if you don't keep up with maintanence, but if you are willing to put in a little time they are wonderful. Like I said do a little research and you will learn a lot along the way as well. Also there are different species of clownfish, if you want a nemo is it a false percula clownfish or a true percula, the difference being the thickness of the black bar.

Good Luck.

Answer 3

Clowns are glorified damsels. Hearty fish. Requirements are a cycled tank and varied quality food. Remember all clown fish are male. Once in a tank, the largest will turn female. She will choose an Alpha male to breed with. Anemone are not needed to keep clown fish even when breeding. Once you start choosing inverts you may have to rethink your lighting requirements. They do tank well with their own species.

Clowns are territorial especially when kept in groups. Most fish will get along with clowns, however puffers and eels will not make good tank mates. Once you have your clowns be sure to do your research before adding any other fish to the tank. Here are a few sites for clowns.

As far as feeding, clowns will eat just about anything. From brine shrimp to veggies.

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/clownfish/
www.aquariumfish.com/aquariumfish/detail.aspx?aid=13423&cid=3799&search=

Answer 4

Wooooooooo slow down mate if you have to ask such a basic question you have NO chance of keeping marine fish, they are tricky even for experienced keepers. Also very expensive get it wrong and you can loose lots and lots of money in 1 foul swoop.If you start of with some tropical fish learn the hobby then move on. Unless it is a fluke an in experienced keeper of marine fish would just end up loosing the best part of a grand and giving up.

Answer 5

To keep a CLOWNFISH ..make sure that the internal setup of the fish tank resembles a circus-arena ....also make sure that there are enough water-proff joke books inside

Answer 6

obviously a salt water tank is first on your list of what to get...I think they are pretty much friendly fish, finding tank mates shouldn't be all that difficult. Talk to a professional....

Answer 7

add a circus to the tank you will find that you will get the biggest audiance poss

Answer 8

get them a Big top tank.

Answer 9

http://www.newi.ac.uk/computing/students/gallery/pedwards/website/index.htm

http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=258

Try the above links