Clownfish

[PaysonReef]

I need some advice on my tank and am hoping you all can provide some insight.

I am currently cycling a 40 gallon breeder with a 20 gallon sump. The purpose of this tank is primarily grow a lot of coral but I want a couple fish in there also just to make it interesting and I thought I would also set it up in case those fish decided to breed (Coral is the primary desire in this tank, though). I have narrowed down my fish choices to a couple clownfish species and am looking for advice and thoughts on each type. Any opinion ore advice is helpful so please do not hesitate to join in.

The species I am looking at in particular are the clarkii, the tomato, and the cinnamon (I know this is very similar to the tomato but not exactly). I had thought about a maroon also but it sounds like they are much more mean. Also vote on what type I should get.

Also, in a tank this size with two clownfish of that size and corals what type of cleanup crew would be most beneficial?

Thanks for your help, advice, and opinions.

 

[bigpaul]

I like the platinum clownfish. I have had a breeding pair in my frag tank for several months.

 

[Jesterrace]

I need some advice on my tank and am hoping you all can provide some insight.

I am currently cycling a 40 gallon breeder with a 20 gallon sump. The purpose of this tank is primarily grow a lot of coral but I want a couple fish in there also just to make it interesting and I thought I would also set it up in case those fish decided to breed (Coral is the primary desire in this tank, though). I have narrowed down my fish choices to a couple clownfish species and am looking for advice and thoughts on each type. Any opinion ore advice is helpful so please do not hesitate to join in.

The species I am looking at in particular are the clarkii, the tomato, and the cinnamon (I know this is very similar to the tomato but not exactly). I had thought about a maroon also but it sounds like they are much more mean. Also vote on what type I should get.

Also, in a tank this size with two clownfish of that size and corals what type of cleanup crew would be most beneficial?

Thanks for your help, advice, and opinions.

Honestly Clarkii, Tomato and Cinnamon are all aggressive clowns and just as bad as the Maroon IMHO. The problem is that any of these can get ultra territorial and go so far as to knock over any new coral frag additions if they see them as being something encroaching on their turf. The Ocellaris and Percula varieties are generally what are recommended as they tend to be better behaved (still might bite you if you are adjusting/cleaning things around their turf once they are established).

 

[Peace River]

I need some advice on my tank and am hoping you all can provide some insight.

I am currently cycling a 40 gallon breeder with a 20 gallon sump. The purpose of this tank is primarily grow a lot of coral but I want a couple fish in there also just to make it interesting and I thought I would also set it up in case those fish decided to breed (Coral is the primary desire in this tank, though). I have narrowed down my fish choices to a couple clownfish species and am looking for advice and thoughts on each type. Any opinion ore advice is helpful so please do not hesitate to join in.

The species I am looking at in particular are the clarkii, the tomato, and the cinnamon (I know this is very similar to the tomato but not exactly). I had thought about a maroon also but it sounds like they are much more mean. Also vote on what type I should get.

Also, in a tank this size with two clownfish of that size and corals what type of cleanup crew would be most beneficial?

Thanks for your help, advice, and opinions.

Based primarily on Wilkerson's book as well as my experience, from the three species in your list I would recommend either the Tomato or the Cinnamon and then the Clarkii. The Clarkii can be a little more sensitive to water quality and a bit more difficult when they are small. The pink skunk clown is another good option if you are looking for something different than the ocellaris and percula.

 

[mattzang]

i'd go with a percula pair or ocellaris pair. i've seen eatbreakfast tell people maroons will take a 50 gallon size of tank space, so..

some of these are a little less aggressive than maroons, but they're still pretty aggressive. one of my lfs told me an entire story about how a clarkii a client had was the meanest fish he had ever come across. and i've heard similar stories about tomatos. aren't cinnamons the same species as tomatos and just a different variant? i'd assume aggression level is similar

even with ocellaris or percula, i'd add them later on, not first. my ocellaris female was pretty rough on a decently sized flame angel when i added it, for example.

 

[Peace River]

Although there will be specific fish that have opportunities, as a species Wilkerson lists Amphiprion clarkii as "not difficult" when it comes to ease of spawning, but a bit more difficult in the larval and juvenile stages. Tomato Clownfish (A. frenatus) and Cinnamon Clownfish (A. melanopus; also referred to as Red and Black Clownfish) are two separate species that are often grouped with three other species into the Tomato complex.

One thought on Maroons - in contrast to most other clownfish where you can just put two juveniles in a tank and let them figure out the hierarchy and the resulting sex implications, Maroons are often more easily paired by using one larger female and introducing a smaller juvenile into a tank with hiding places.