The Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris and A. percula) was never going to be the same after Pixar got their studio heads around one and made two feature-length films that revolved around one of the cutest fish you’ll ever lay eyes on. Yes, we’re talking about the much-loved Finding Nemo and Finding Dory.
Clownfish are adorable, Uber-popular, and actually rather easy to care for beginners keeping a saltwater tank. However, you do need to understand their needs and how to care for them in the best possible way.
Many Clownfish perished after overenthusiastic parents bought fish tanks for their children to house ‘Nemo’ who didn’t really take into account the care needed or didn’t meet their basic requirements, which was a shame. We’re providing all you need to know here so that your Clownfish won’t meet a similar fate.
There are actually over 30 types of Clownfish which are all saltwater dwellers, but this particular species, the Ocellaris Clownfish (also known as the False Percula Clownfish), is the most popular, followed by the Percula Clownfish. These two look very similar and have similar needs, so they are easy to cover together.
Within the 30 types of Clownfish, there are six main groupings that they fall into, including the Skunk complex, Percula complex, Maroon complex, Tomato complex, Clarkii complex, and Saddleback complex.
These fish are native to the Western Pacific Ocean and the Eastern Indian Ocean and are found on coral reefs. They are always found alongside Sea Anemones with whom they have formed a symbiotic relationship, which is the best kind of relationship in the wild.
Long before Nemo was a part of the collective conscious, Clownfish were popular. Not least because they are such a joy to watch and have such personalities. There’s a reason Pixar chose the Clownfish, and we’ll delve into why they make such a great fish to have.
Clownfish Behavior
Clownfish are not aggressive fish unless you end up having them run into another species of Clownfish different from their own. In that instance, you can expect some fireworks.
If you choose to have Clownfish, you keep one species only, and that is a golden rule.
Clownfish like to inhabit the upper reaches of the tank layers and enjoy some slow-moving currents. If you can provide that, they tend to stake a claim on it and make it their own.
Clownfish are noted for being quite weak swimmers, with smallish pectoral fins and a wiggle-like swimming action that is quite comical to observe. If you didn’t know better, you’d think these fish were sashaying through the water swaying their hips in a come-hither motion!
One of the most interesting behaviors associated with Clownfish is their symbiotic relationship with the normally deadly Sea Anemone.
Clownfish are remarkably unaffected by the Anemone sting of toxic chemicals that usually kill fish. In addition to being resistant, Clownfish possess a mucus coating, not unlike Loaches and species of Catfish, which protects them with a slime barrier.
They develop immunity over time and must be exposed to those toxins to gain their defense against the Anemone’s sting.
So, how do they do that? They gingerly brush body parts along the Anemone in their youth which is how their protective mucus layer develops in the first place. Over time this layer becomes thicker and more protective, allowing them to dwell within the Anemone strands safe from the predation of other fish. And that degree of safety is no joke in the animal kingdom!
Clownfish are also what today we might call ‘gender-neutral.’ That’s right, these fish will change gender to suit their needs because they are born sequential hermaphrodites. They are all born male, but one in the group will become a female with a cohort of males. One will be lead male, and the rest are dominated by him.
Interestingly, the dominant male who is larger than his fellows will be the only one allowed to mate with the lone female. If for any reason, the lead female leaves the group or perishes, the dominant male will become female, and the process starts over again. Pretty fascinating behavior!
One of the most important things you need to consider when having Clownfish is their requirement for hiding spaces and an easy way to feed them. They are weak swimmers without a lot of power behind those fins, and their wiggling swimming action demonstrates that quite comically. They will want to feel secure by hiding and need food to be made easily available, so they don’t need to compete for food supply.
Clownfish Lifespan
If you cater to the needs of your Clownfish, you could expect them to live for up to 6 years or so.
We will discuss more on tank requirements a little later in this article.
Clownfish Appearance
The classic look of the Clownfish most folks recognize is the wildly popular Nemo-style species of Ocellaris and Percula.
These fish have a long body and are gently rounded in the front, moving to trimmer at the rear. The base color is orange, and they have three wide vertical stripes that are always placed behind the gills, in the center, and at the bottom of the caudal fin.
They grow up to 4 inches in length in general, but some are smaller.
All of their fins and white striping have black borders, which really enhances their shape and movements in the tank.
With a sweet-natured face that looks like it’s ready to have a conversation with you with a cup of coffee, Clownfish do take some beating in the cuteness stakes.
We mentioned earlier that these fish have 30 varieties and six groups that they can be categorized into. Here is a short breakdown of what sets each group apart.
Skunk Complex
One of the more original-looking Clownfish, this group has two species, and they have a dorsal double striping pattern, not unlike a skunk for an interesting take on this fish.
Percula Complex
There are four species in this group, and two of them are the ones most commonly recognized and kept in the hobby, your classic Nemo, if you will. Classic orange body and triple vertical striping set these clowns apart.
Maroon Complex
The most territorial complex of the bunch, two species in this group have very prominent, visually appealing banding.
Clarkii Complex
This is the largest group housing 11 species. They are also a bit larger than the others measuring in at 5 inches, and can have black to golden-yellow tones on the body. Intriguing and hardy.
Saddleback Complex
Hobbyists who know their Clownfish often desire this incredible specimen. With three in the group, they grow up to 6 inches and have rich coloration. They have a band behind the gills and a white spot on the body that ‘bleeds’ into their dorsal fin (resembling a saddle) and have white trim on the black caudal fin also.
Tomato Complex
Last but not least, we have two in this group who have a single white band behind the gills but are otherwise plain in coloration everywhere else. The rest of the body can be reddish or reddish-brown.
Clownfish Habitat And Tank Requirements
Being tropical marine fish, they are usually found in the wild around coral reefs with a wide variety of species. They can also be seen in shallower lagoons in Australasia, but never anywhere deeper.
This is usually because of their relationship with the Sea Anemone, and those aren’t found deeper than 40 feet.
Is it necessary to have Sea Anemones in your tank to keep your Clownfish happy? The answer is no. Should you decide to, it will be significantly more difficult to achieve is probably not the best thing for a beginner hobbyist.
Tank Conditions
Clownfish are reef safe, so won’t bother any live coral should you have any in your setup. They can get attached to areas of coral, though, in the absence of a sea anemone to call home, so be careful to keep an eye out for any over-the-top doting behavior that will annoy the coral polyps.
Rocks or fake reef inserts will work well, and they must have hiding places, as we mentioned earlier in the article. Open swimming areas should be incorporated.
Water changes will need to be weekly and at least 25% changed over.
Water conditions should be noted and maintained as follows:
- pH of 7.8 – 8.4
- Specific gravity between 1.021 and 1.026
- Temperature between 74 – 79ºF (24 – 27ºC)
- Lighting should be bright but also dependent on the vegetation included
Tank Size
The minimum tank size for a Clownfish is 20 gallons.
For every additional Clownfish you bring to the circus, expect to add another 10 gallons and over 50 gallons if you choose to have Sea Anemones in their midst.
Choosing Tank Mates For Clownfish
Knowing the special relationship Clownfish have with Sea Anemones, it seems obvious that incorporating them into your setup would be a no-brainer. That is if you have the tank space and knowledge of how to keep Sea Anemones happy too.
The bottom line is that they don’t have to be in a tank with Anemones if you choose not to. But if you do, there are certain types that fare best with your little jokers:
- Magnificent Anemones
- Leathery Sea Anemones
- Bubble Tip Anemones
- Sebae Anemones
- Adhesive Sea Anemones
- Long Tentacle Anemones
- Saddle Anemones
As noted earlier, Clownfish will not get along with other species of Clownfish except their own kind. They will also become more aggressive during breeding periods.
Without those issues, they are peaceful enough to get along with just about anything in your tank that is saltwater friendly and appropriately sized so as not to be a meal or make a meal of others.
Some good suggestions include:
- Damselfish
- Wrasses
- Dartfish
- Butterflyfish
- Blennies
- Gobies
- Peppermint and Harlequin Shrimp
How To Feed Clownfish
Clownfish are generally known for not being too picky when it comes to a meal. They are quite happy to take whatever you offer them without too much fuss.
Since most are bred in captivity, they are used to prepared food sources, so you won’t have to have live foods to hand at all times like some species, although it’s a nice touch to include on a regular basis for their health and hunting.
They are omnivores and love worms, shrimp, and plant-based pellets or flakes. Proteins can be live or frozen, and they will accept both. Algae, crustaceans, eggs, and larvae all make for tempting food sources for the decidedly un-finicky Clownfish.
How To Breed Clownfish
Knowing what we already know about the fluid gender dynamics of the Clownfish and its well-established gender hierarchy in the tank, breeding Clownfish isn’t difficult outright, but it isn’t always straightforward either.
If you know who’s who in your group, you can raise the tank temperature slightly and then witness some elaborate courtship rituals while the mating pair clean a rock under the Anemone or leafy area in your tank.
Males guard the eggs by fanning them with their little fins to keep them clean. They will also clean them with their mouth on a regular basis until they hatch. The female tends to be more of an absentee parent in this scenario. Maybe that’s why we never saw Mom in Finding Nemo, and it was all about Dad!
Fry hatch from a clutch of 50 – 500 eggs after around 8 days and are translucent.
If you think you want to clown around, the Percula Complex of Clownfish makes a winning combination of a colorful and personable species to house in your community.
Delightfully filled with personality, a bum-wiggling swimming action, and docile behavior, these fish are sure to steal your heart in an instant.
It’s no wonder they got pride of place in a Pixar production.
Find your Nemo, and don’t be a Dory when it comes to remembering how to care for them in the happiest, healthiest way!
