Obligatory pair of Clowns - Why do we do it?

[cnseekatz]

It seems like every reef has at least one pair of clowns, and most new tanks begin with one. It's become a very predictable script. I'm guilty as well. I have a pair of black ocellaris that are about 3 years old.

I know that they're iconic fish, and that they're easy to find, and easy to keep, but are they really worth it? Mine are very pretty, and I'm emotionally attached to them because I've had them so long, but I probably wouldn't get them again if I had it to do over again.

They're pretty boring members of the reef community. They find their spot, and they stay put. These two stick to the BTA like glue, and never swim around the tank. I can forgive that, but they've become pretty big ******s as they've gotten older. Any fish that swims near the anemone gets chased away quickly. Any coral or rock that I try to glue down in their area gets removed. It's amazing how strong and tenacious they are. They hate anything new, and will push things over, pick them up and carry them away, or just bash them incessantly. I've seen the female pick up a frag plug (that I had glued down) in her mouth and carry it halfway across the tank before she spits it out. Beyond that, if I need to put my hand in the tank, I need to be mentally prepared to be attacked with ferocity. Being bitten by a clownfish doesn't hurt, but they surprise you, and it's scary! They're not afraid of my hand, so they just beat the hell out of it until I'm done doing whatever it is I need to do.

Given all of that, why are these guys so popular? I see the attraction, with they're cool patterning, and I'm guessing not all of them are such pricks... But a pair in EVERY tank ever? Is it just a habit at this point? There are hundreds of cool fish we could pick, but we always grab a pair of clowns. Is this some kind of social conditioning? I get that if you have a young kid who likes Pixar, you HAVE to have a "nemo," but for the rest of us? In a hobby that values being unique, and even exclusive, why the rigid loyalty to these super cliche fish?

(They kind of even look like jerks!)

 

[reid429]

A clown and their nem is the reason why. Nothing else compares

 

[Mike in CT]

A clown and their nem is the reason why. Nothing else compares

Agree....even though my clowns do not pay attention to my 2 RBTA's..... nothing personifies a reef like a couple clowns chilling in a nem.

 

[mochaclownlover]

+1^

 

[Blasto Girl]

Your post made me smile. I absolutely agree. My two Clarkii came with the tank. They were small and so cute with so much personality.

The day I added the RBTA was incredible. There is nothing better than watching your clownfish meet and connect so deeply with a nem.

It's been two years and they now they are now so much larger and completely rule the show. They lay eggs like clockwork and protect them with their lives. They are aggressive, mean and unkind to every other creature in the tank and, yes, they completely hate change. I ended up getting a separate frag tank just so I could enjoy my corals without them being knocked over by my clownfish.

Nothing compares to the way I find them so perfectly laying in their BTAs in the morning and how bury themselves and dance in them during the day.

Would I ever replace them - absolutely not. Did I know what I was getting myself into having a tank completely ruled by clownfish - NO!!

Am I completely attached - absolutely yes.

 

[ReefQueen]

Personally I love clowns. They are my favorite fish. I have had plans to get a clownfish tattoo for 5 years now, just need my final design lol. I have a clownfish harem tank planned for when I have room for another tank I could never have a tank without one. Even though they are little jerks lol. My last female was super aggressive, her mate is now my female because she had an unfortunate rock slide accident. So far he/she hasn't tried eating my arm off haha.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

What is a saltwater tank without clownfish!

 

[Birddog]

Cnseekatz thank you for the simple pleasure of making me smile! Great thread... I tried for a year to get my snow flakes to make my RTBA their home with no success. Made a change to Clarki and it was like a fat kid to a cup cake. As soon as they hit the water they went straight to the nem and I've been happy ever since. Yes they're jerks, but what a cool relationship!

 

[cnseekatz]

I get that clowns and nems are iconic to the hobby. I just think it's interesting that in a hobby that seems to really revere being different, unique and even exclusive, clowns are awfully cliche. I suppose that's a big factor in the "designer clown" movement. You get to show off fancy and unique fish, while still enjoying the symbiotic relationship we all think of when we think of reefs.

 

[cnseekatz]

It was a typo, meant to say ******

Oh... it was a failed attempt at an insult. I see... thanks for your contribution.

 

[Reefersutherland_]

Thanks for the great thread

 

[Oli]

I'm learning now the joys of clownfish. I have a pair I bought together with a bubble tip. They seemed a good match at first but now the female is emerging..... Starting to get very aggressive. I do enjoy watching them play in the anemone, and at times they play in the water current. They will swim under the filter over and over and let the current push them

 

[fishbrain]

Personally I love to watch mine play in my elegance coral and chase off anyone who gets to close. I use to have a carpet of gsp on my substrate and they danced around in that to. Very interesting fish if you ask me.

 

[aereaus]

I disagree that they are boring! To each their own but i will put it this way -- the beatles may not be the best rock band ever but enough people like them that they are probably the most popular ever. Does that make sense at all? Clownfish may be mean at times but they have redeeming qualities.

 

[WyomingWhites84]

It sucks that the marroon clowns are jerks, I love that red/yellow stripe combo

 

[redfishbluefish]

When Nemo came out, and a number of years after that, when kids came to see your tank, the only thing they wanted to see was Nemo and Dory. That $500 Black Tang you had, they'd be happy if you grilled that up for lunch.....could care less. It was all Nemo and Dory, and nothing else. With the movie being a bit old, it's not as common, but a new movie is coming out in June.....Finding Dory. I'm not kidding. Here's the trailer:

'Finding Dory' Trailer

So if you don't have one, buy a Hippo, because that's the only thing the kids will want to see when they come to look at your tank. The one great thing about the movie is that it's still Ellen voicing Dory.

 

[mOnsterzOas26]

I got in this hobby cause of clownfish lol

 

[marissas47]

I totally agree OP. I have a pair of clowns in my nano only because my fiancé loves them. Otherwise I wouldn't have any. Won't keep them in my larger tanks. I will not be attacked every time I try to add a frag or move stuff around in my tank. Not worth the hassle imo

 

[Crystalsreef]

I bought 2 clowns when i initially got my tank. Its been over a year and i still like them. Same as you said, they just belonged. But mine are active and dont host anything. My male (nemo of course ) plays in the current and is quite a character.the female (Dora, dora the explora) just does what ever. They dont move anything, and sleep in the top corner. My 2 black damselfish on the other hand....they are rotten. They move my frags. I have to make sure no frags are within range of their burrow areas.

 

[MT. Reefer]

Yes, everyone wants to watch when I have to put my hand in the tank. She doesn't just bite me, now she hold on when she does it and tries to rip my skin off. But every two weeks like clockwork, they have a new batch of pretty orange eggs which is something you're not going to see with other fish. And their relationship with their nem is a special thing.
I love your thread. I got a great laugh cause it hit the nail right on the head.