Thanks to Nemo, the Clownfish has become one of the most popular fish on the planet. Plus their beautiful colors would make an amazing addition to a home fish aquarium. But if you’re new to fishkeeping, the first question to ask is: Are Clownfish good for beginners?
Clownfish are good for beginners because they are relatively easy to care for and hardy. They don’t require a lot of space and can eat a variety of readily available food that is either fresh, frozen or dried. However, they are saltwater fish, so you need to setup a proper saltwater aquarium.
Clownfish Care and Maintenance
Not all clownfish look like Nemo. They come in different colors like gray, orange, red, yellow, and have various patch patterns. These fish can grow up to 7 inches, while the smallest one is about 4 inches in length.
Clownfish are unique, as they develop exclusive and mutually symbiotic relationships with the sea anemones. Different from other fish species, they are immune to anemones’ poisonous tentacles while they use them to hide from predators.
Another benefit of being immune to the anemones poison? Clown fish are able to feed on the remains of anemone victims offering nutrition in the diet.
The clownfish are hardy fish species, which make a good option for many beginners. With adequate excellent water conditions and nutrition, they can live to about six years.
Likewise, there are other clownfish with have been reported to live longer than that. In a raised tank, they can adapt very well and very fast to a life of aquarium than the wild animals, though this is a little more expensive.
The clownfish prefer the aquariums with the open swimming species and a lot of hiding places. If you are planning to offer your clownfish with the host anemone, it is best to look for the best types of anemones for your species.
However, there is no assurance that the Anemone will host the clownfish. It is also essential to study the specific requirements for growing anemones, as they generally require specific lighting conditions for survival.
The clownfish are very calm species of fish, which make the excellent tenant for many community aquariums hence becoming suitable for beginners. However, they can become aggressive against other clownfish; therefore, the best thing is to keep one clownfish or pair in the aquarium.
Clownfish Feeding Habits
The clownfish are omnivorous and accept different types of foods like aquarium flakes. Also, their diet should be supplemented with a variety of vegetable and live based foods.
When you are feeding the clownfish, be sure only to give what is enough, after about two minutes, or when there are no signs of food that is floating in the water. Given that there is food that is floating around or found at the tank bottom know that they are overfed.
It is essential to know that overfeeding clownfish is bad. You may kill them because overfeeding may cause issues with the spiking parameters in the water, hence making the water to be dangerous to the fish.
Do not feed the clownfish more than once per day. You can just skip a day of feeding them if you feel like they are overeating.
Clownfish Breeding Behavior
The clownfish have sexual dimorphism where females are larger species when compared to males. A pair of clownfish requires stable conditions and good water quality for several months or even one year before spawning. After spawning begins, they start to lay eggs at a regular interval. They lay the eggs on the flat surfaces and protect them with a lot of care.
Clownfish are considered the most natural saltwater fish species to breed in an aquarium. Breeding pairs reproduce in captivity, with many species propagating successfully. The stable aquarium is key to the successful rearing and breeding of the clownfish. Clownfish can be raised in a separate aquarium because corals and the other fish will eat new fish within some hours.
Clownfish Habitat Facts
Clownfish are a hardy fish and can do well in the saltwater aquariums. For small and medium species, a tank of at least 20 gallons is recommended. Larger species work best at least 30 gallons. This includes the rock structures and also other hidden decorations, as well as plenty of room for swimming.
There is no special lighting requirement for aquarium clownfish, but when kept in the reef environment, there are other inhabitants that will require bright light. You may provide the host anemone, though you need to have a healthy system to meet the nutritional needs of the animal. Reef aquariums require a lot of live sand and rocks. Useful bacteria can populate the rocks and sand and help the water to remain clean.
This particular tank requires specialized equipment to ensure powerful lighting and good water movement. Also, reef tanks need excellent filtration and even the protein skimmer, which is helpful. Regular water change is very crucial because it replaces the critical trace elements used by fish and corals like calcium, strontium, iodine, and magnesium.
Clownfish Social Behavior
When you talk about social behavior, these are the good fish for beginners. Whether the clownfish are living with the host anemone or are having the substitute host, they may become territorial. They vigorously protect the host from intruders.
Fortunately, their aggression is generally limited to the immediate vicinity of the host; therefore, they do not pose a threat to other invertebrates or fish in the aquariums. In terms of personality, every type of clownfish has its character. The most commonly available is Maroon clownfish, which are known for being aggressive towards tankmates, while cinnamon clownfish and tomato clownfish are only moderately aggressive.
Percula clownfish are also somehow aggressive, but other species have a habit of being more moderate. Ocellaris clownfish are exceptionally courteous. Also, skunk clownfish are quite shy and can be controlled by aggressive tank mates.
Conclusion
When you ask,” are clownfish good for beginners?” The answer is yes when you compare them with other marine animals. They’re hardy and much easier to maintain than the other saltwater fish options in the local pet store. This comes true if only you monitor the water parameters and make sure the saltwater salinity, pH, and temperature are correct for your fish to survive.