Clownfishes and Their Suitability for a Marine Aquarium

How many of you know that clownfish or anemonefish are actually damselfish? Making up the family of fish known as Pomacentridae that is further divided to incorporate these fish in the sub family amphiprioninae, their are 28 species of clownfish. The beautifully contrasting color combinations, evident in clownfish, makes this fish a very popular marine inhabitant in the saltwater hobby. The ease in which to find any number of these beauties at your local pet shop is yet another reason for their popularity since you will not have to travel or search to long to find a nice clownfish, unless you are looking for one of the more elusive morphs or species such as the Picasso, Naked False, Blue Stripe or the Black Clown. Being members of the damselfish family should trigger something in your brain, as to the hardiness and ease of maintaining one of these sleek and pretty fish in a marine environment as damselfish are very hardy fish. This portrayal can't be any more justified than by the fact that these fish are often times used to cycle a marine aquarium, with the damselfish living through this demanding and harsh situation.

Clownfish are found throughout the Western and Indo-Pacific waters. Reef areas with suitable anemone populations are where the greatest abundance of these fish will be. Various clownfish will congregate in an intimate relationship with the particular anemone that they prefer in the wild. NOT all anemones will provide every species of clownfish with a suitable home and symbiotic relationship. Witnessing the host relationship between clown and its anemone is a very worthwhile and wonderful site to see, however, this scenario need not be carried out and replicated for the long term success of either animal in captivity.

When coming up with a list of the most popular and hardy fish for the novice and expert alike, the damselfish/clownfish is normally right at the top of the list with good reason. basically, you can't kill these animals unless you work at it. Well, maybe I am exaggerating somewhat, but these fish are very undemanding as water parameter issues are not as crucial as with many other fish species. Clownfish are able to handle their own as only larger fish such as Grouper, Lionfish and Triggers pose any eminent danger to them. When combined with its host anemone, the likelihood of predation becomes even less as the acclimation to the anemones toxic slime/nematocysts cannot be achieved by most other fish species. Clownfish are very territorial and will put up a fight with any animal that poses a threat to them. For those of you who have tried sticking their hands inside their tank with clownfish present and venture too close to them and their lair, know what i am talking about. They can bite relentlessly and it hurts as well, not to mention the cut as a painstaking remembrance of the incident.

It is best to add the clownfish last to your set up, especially with the addition of a host anemone as well. Boisterous behavior will often become less evident and subside with the most aggressive fish being added last to a tanks population. Tomato and Maroon clowns are the most territorial and aggressive of all the clownfish. Attaining a hefty size of nearly 7", these clowns are also the largest of the clownfish. The other species of clownfish fit within the 3-4.5" size range.

Highly sexually dimorphic, a female clown can attain six times the length of a male counterpart. Breeding of sexually mature adults is becoming easier and easier. Give credit to the clownfish as well as technological advances and education, as the breeding of a mated pair of anemonefish is becoming increasingly popular. The hard part is trying to pair up a male and female clown. It is best to start off with a few juvenile clowns and let them pair off naturally as the dominant male switches sex and becomes a female. At that time, it is best to remove the other clowns to reduce chances of aggression between the species. Once ready to spawn the female clown will deposit its eggs on a flat smooth surface. Fanning and guarding the eggs will then become a diligent process. Reproduction will usually come about once every month with up to a few thousand eggs being released per spawn. Second generation spawned and reared clowns make far better candidates for reproduction in a captive environment than their wild counterparts.

Feeding of clownfish is an easy task. They don't not seem to to fussy as to food type and style. Frozen, flake and pellet sources are eagerly accepted with mysis, brine shrimp, clam, vegetable and algal foods not to be denied. Feeding of small amounts periodically over the course of the day are optimal for any fish species as well as that of maintaining optimal water qualities. It is neat to watch clownfish especially if they have a host anemone present as they will share their food by capturing food and spitting it out for the anemone to feed upon.

Diseases effecting clownfish is similar to that of all damselfish. Environmental and infectious diseases are all problematic for clowns with worms, isopods, trematodes and ectoparasites heading the list. These can be remedied somewhat by inspecting your fish before hand and quarantining or dipping your fish before adding it to your tanks population. The bigger problem plaguing clownfish is the careless mishandling, shipping and collecting of clownfish. Poor water quality, medications and drugs are a major factor in the downfall of a clownfish population. A conglomeration of protozoans, bacterial and fungal factors have left clownfish populations debilitated and recently termed "new clownfish syndrome". The proper identification of the problematic situation is key in the efforts to remedy a sick clownfish. Often times it is simply a direct result of less than optimal water parameters. Water tests and a partial water change should help to enlighten you as to what is wrong and ways of reversing the problem. The worst thing one could do is to add medications ill advisably and prematurely. This could end up opening the door to more detrimental scenarios unfolding, as the culprits may not be treated by a medical malady or wonder drug.

Clownfish come in many different color combinations and patters. Red, black, white, yellow, orange and brown seem to be the most prevalent colors. Some species even have some blue on them for added measure as if their color combinations were not enough. Stripes and bars are commonplace for patterns on clownfish, though their are some clownfish that do not have any design or pattern on them what so ever. These are usually less common and can be a result of morphological and mixed breeding processes.

Why not try your luck with a clown fish! Hardy, colorful, not terribly expensive and commonly encountered at your local pet shop, what else do you need to be persuaded into purchasing one of these beautiful fish.