Clown growth rate

[Becky S]

Hi again everyone, how long does it take clowns to reach full size? I've had a pair for 3 years and they don't seem to have grown much (they were tiny when I got them). They now measure 1.5" , I was expecting them to be much bigger by now. It's a 35 gallon tank, any advice to encourage growth?

 

[santeeeyyy]

Hi again everyone, how long does it take clowns to reach full size? I've had a pair for 3 years and they don't seem to have grown much (they were tiny when I got them). They now measure 1.5" , I was expecting them to be much bigger by now. It's a 35 gallon tank, any advice to encourage growth?

Do they have any tank mates or how often do you feed them? Mine are a solid 1.5-2 inches now. The female is about 1.5 at least while the male is 2

 

[Reef Stallion]

Good question. I just bought 2 aquacultured percula clown pairs and they are tiny too. I don’t know the answer to your question but I just assumed it would be fast. Your post now has me wondering. Thanks for the post.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

What type of clowns are they? Do you have pictures of them and their environment?
And yes, that does seem a little stunted.

 

[Becky S]

Do they have any tank mates or how often do you feed them? Mine are a solid 1.5-2 inches now. The female is about 1.5 at least while the male is 2

I only feed once per day, 1 cube of marine mix. they have 3 other tank mates so I don't want to over feed. Should I feed more?

 

[Becky S]

What type of clowns are they? Do you have pictures of them and their environment?
And yes, that does seem a little stunted.

They're Amphiprion perculer, do you think I'm under feeding (one cube per day marine mix)

 

[Becky S]

What type of clowns are they? Do you have pictures of them and their environment?
And yes, that does seem a little stunted.

 

[JohnNYC8]

Reef Nutrition TDO pellets use a feed that's designed to quickly grow fish. They use it in commercial aquaculture. They also put a coating on it promote better coloration. I have a pair of 1.75-2" clowns that love the small size pellets. I've definitely noticed growth since I added them on 6/7/23.

Hard to tell if you're underfeeding but the pellets are a good supplement. It's easy to add a few pellets without overdoing it.

 

[Becky S]

Reef Nutrition TDO pellets use a feed that's designed to quickly grow fish. They use it in commercial aquaculture. They also put a coating on it promote better coloration. I have a pair of 1.75-2" clowns that love the small size pellets. I've definitely noticed growth since I added them on 6/7/23.

Hard to tell if you're underfeeding but the pellets are a good supplement. It's easy to add a few pellets without overdoing it.

great, I'll give it a try thanks

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi again everyone, how long does it take clowns to reach full size? I've had a pair for 3 years and they don't seem to have grown much (they were tiny when I got them). They now measure 1.5" , I was expecting them to be much bigger by now. It's a 35 gallon tank, any advice to encourage growth?

This will be hard to determine as its based on type, how bred, diet and overall health.
I have 11 full grown clowns and it took them close to 2 years to reach ful growth, nad there are two who are the smaller of the clan.

 

[Becky S]

This will be hard to determine as its based on type, how bred, diet and overall health.
I have 11 full grown clowns and it took them close to 2 years to reach ful growth, nad there are two who are the smaller of the clan.

When I bought them, one had a swim bladder problem, I should have returned it but it makes me wonder if they have health issues from the shop

 

[Paul B]

This Fireclown and his mate are 32 years old and they are only about 2 1/2".

 

[vetteguy53081]

When I bought them, one had a swim bladder problem, I should have returned it but it makes me wonder if they have health issues from the shop

can be many factors-
Shipping issues
Over breeding
Quality of breeder stock
poor diet

 

[00W]

I have an 8 year old perc who's 3 inches max, probably less.
He eats twice a day every day.

 

[threebuoys]

One cube of frozen Marine Cuisine from San Francisco Bay Brand is 90.8% water 7.1% protein, 1.7% fat. If that's what you are using, it's very little nutrition, even though most fish attack the morsels when fed. You did not mention what the 3 tank mates are. My guess is they could use more protein and fat. Just a pinch of small pellets will contain more nourishment than the cubes. Of course fresh fish, clams etc would also be a great way to go. Don't want to overfeed, but I think you are a little on the low side.

 

[Becky S]

This Fireclown and his mate are 32 years old and they are only about 2 1/2".

wow! i know nothing about fire clowns, is that small for a fire clown?

can be many factors-
Shipping issues
Over breeding
Quality of breeder stock
poor diet

I hope it's not something I'm doing, I'll purchase my next ones from a different breeder when the time comes

 

[Becky S]

One cube of frozen Marine Cuisine from San Francisco Bay Brand is 90.8% water 7.1% protein, 1.7% fat. If that's what you are using, it's very little nutrition, even though most fish attack the morsels when fed. You did not mention what the 3 tank mates are. My guess is they could use more protein and fat. Just a pinch of small pellets will contain more nourishment than the cubes. Of course fresh fish, clams etc would also be a great way to go. Don't want to overfeed, but I think you are a little on the low side.

Thanks for the advice, I'm in the UK so it's a different company. I'm going to try pellets from now on

 

[00W]

New little spectrum pellets are good.
I finally got mine to eat formula one pellets after all this time but she's so picky and really a pain when it comes to food. Always has been.
I think it's good to get some greens into them and she'll eat formula 2 flakes if I trick her.
Emphasis on the word trick.

 

[Becky S]

New little spectrum pellets are good.
I finally got mine to eat formula one pellets after all this time but she's so picky and really a pain when it comes to food. Always has been.
I think it's good to get some greens into them and she'll eat formula 2 flakes if I trick her.
Emphasis on the word trick.

great advice, many thanks

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

They're Amphiprion perculer, do you think I'm under feeding (one cube per day marine mix)

Most reef fish eat throughout the day. As others mentioned pellets are a good source of nutrients. You could throw in a pinch in the morning and evening. You could also get an auto feeder and have it supplement throughout the day. I think 1 pellet per fish per hour is a good starting point.