These fish owe their name to their coloring. Several species are commercially available nowadays, often with their associated sea anemone, because their life is generally intertwined with this invertebrate, which offers them protection. Clown fish can range in color from this typical orange and white to black to blue. They’re active, which is sometimes mistaken for “clowning around”, hence their name.Don’t make snap purchases at fish stores or online before you know what it takes to take care of an animal or plant in your tank. “Finding Nemo” was a great movie, but it has resulted in a lot of dead clown fish because the people didn’t take the time to find out how to care for them.
Beginners are recommended some species of clownfish: Amphiprion clarkii and Amphiprion sebae. Clownfish are related to damsels, and are fairly hardy. However, they are more difficult to acclimate to a new tank. They are an extremely hardy fish, making them a very popular addition to a novice tank. It is best to purchase them in small groups and introduce them to the tank at the same time because they are a bit semi-aggressive and territorial.
They will do fine without an anemone, which is good since anemones are much more difficult to keep. Anemones require very clean water and high quality lighting. Also, each species of clown likes particular species of anemones, and none of them will regularly inhabit the inexpensive and easier to maintain Caribbean anemones. Some clowns are captive raised.
The anemones can take advantage of the clowns’ leftover food, although this is not always the case, and they can also live without the company of their tenants. The Amphiprions are not affected by the action of the anemone’s venom; they protect themselves by progressively rubbing themselves in it, which grants them a kind of immunity. If a clownfish is separated from its anemone for any length of time, on its return it has to gradually rehabituate itself. Anemones also play an important role in the reproduction of Pomacentrids for, without them, they breed less often.
The Clownfish mark out a territory (around 25 cm-) close to the anemones, lay their eggs on a support, and defend the site. The parents, which stay faithful to each other – the males are generally monogamous – can reproduce every 2-4 weeks. Clownfish, at first males, later become females, which are then bigger. Feeding them in captivity does not present any problems: they like small live and frozen prey, mussels, and chopped shrimps, and they sometimes accept commercial artificial food. Best to feed small amounts several times a day. more…