Clown fish.

Reefind · 11/17/2010, 07:30 PM

Just bought a maroon clown fish about 2'', I have couple questions:
1- What kind of anemones can I get as a host?
2- Can I keep another clown fish with it?
The tank is 36 gallon reef.

2Addicted · 11/17/2010, 08:29 PM

Are you experienced with anemones? If not I wouldnt try one in that small of a tank, unless your really good at keeping your water stable. You can try to pair it with another maroon clown but maroons are extremely aggressive and are not easy to pair. Do some research and you could have success. Tell us some info about your tank, like params lighting flow and how long its been running so we can let you know if your ready for a nem. To answer your question a E. Quadricolor (bubble tip anemone) would be what i would choose for your clown. They are known to be the hardiest host species of anemone, but are not hardy by any means.

Angel*Fish · 11/17/2010, 08:36 PM

You're going to think I'm crazy, but a marroon clown can dominate about 20 of those 36 g. She will become very large and appear to be in a constant state of pms. She may even rearrange your rock work or not allow you to add corals where she doesnt want them.

Pairing GSM clowns is challenging, but if you read up and are dedicated it is possible.

My 2 cents: Catch this fish and return to the store for some percs or other smaller clown. You can just buy 2 percs and they will work out the pairing.

The marroon clown will take immediately to bubble tip anemones. Do you have the correct lighting for an anemone?

Percs will take to a BTA, but it's not natural so it may take some doing. I think the last time I put them in a 10g with the anemone and even partitioned it off so they were crammed into a small space with it. After they moved in, I put them all in the 100g.

Reefind · 11/17/2010, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2Addicted

Are you experienced with anemones? Tell us some info about your tank, like params lighting flow and how long its been running so we can let you know if your ready for a nem.

No I never kept one before.
This tank is an upgrade from 20 gallon long, the last time I tested the water it was 8.2 ph, 250 ppm alk, 0 nitrite, 0 amonia, 5 ppm nitrate. temp at 78F.
I don't have calcium tester at this moment but I am using instant ocean salt and I do 10% water change weekly.
Lighting: Coralife 1 x 31 watt 6700 K and 1 x 31 watt actinic. 10 hours on.
Heating: 100 watt marineland heater.
Filtration: one internal whisper filter, and two mini elite power heads.
About 30 lbs live rock and 15 lbs fine grain sand.

Angel*Fish · 11/17/2010, 08:44 PM

I'm afraid you would need to upgrade your lighting.

Reefind · 11/17/2010, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angel*Fish

I'm afraid you would need to upgrade your lighting.

So will the clown fish be ok by it self (with other fish from another species) and without adding an anemone?

2Addicted · 11/17/2010, 09:05 PM

You can keep the clown without an anemone. I dont think you will be able to have any other fish besides a mate for the clown in that size tank.

greech · 11/17/2010, 09:20 PM

Yes another maroon will work but they can be difficult to pair up. May want to add the other before this one has a chance to grow up and turn female (if it has not already). Give this one time and allow the new tank to adjust to the bioload and then add a smaller juvenile maroon. THis is how most pair clowns from individuals but research pairing maroons to be sure. If you added any other fish you would want something that kept to the rocks like a goby or maybe a goby pistol combo that would burrow and stay out of the maroon's territory.

I would be concerned about the lighting for a hosting nem too so do some research on power compacts and nems. Bubble tips are maroons natural host which happen to be one of the easier (albeit still fairly difficult) nems to keep. You have time to research and/or upgrade lighting since this is a recent upgrade. Your new tank should really mature for several months at least before trying a nem.

Reefind · 11/17/2010, 09:35 PM

The only other fish I have are 2 yellow clown gobies and 1 damsel fish, they are about 1.5'' size. I should'v searched a lot before adding that clown fish.

Sk8r · 11/17/2010, 09:41 PM

Note that the adult size of this fish is half a foot. They become quite hefty when they reach breeding size, and very aggressive, even toward a human hand in their tank. Go back to the lfs and see if you can work a trade for a percula. Much gentler clowns. [I had Clarkiis, another milder species, in a 100 g and they terrorized several damsels and a dottyback, plus bit me and drew blood every time I had to work in the tank.]

Reefind · 11/17/2010, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sk8r

Note that the adult size of this fish is half a foot. They become quite hefty when they reach breeding size, and very aggressive, even toward a human hand in their tank. Go back to the lfs and see if you can work a trade for a percula. Much gentler clowns. [I had Clarkiis, another milder species, in a 100 g and they terrorized several damsels and a dottyback, plus bit me and drew blood every time I had to work in the tank.]

How long it takes to get to 6''?

Angel*Fish · 11/17/2010, 10:12 PM

They grow really fast. We're not being overly cautious - you'll be better off with some other clown. But when I suggested trading it for a perc or some other smaller clown, I didn't realize you have low lighting (for an anemone). Percs have kind of a goofy stance in the tank if they don't have some kind of host. You might consider some other type of fish.

jonbry123 · 11/17/2010, 10:33 PM

Agreed you really should take the Maroon back as the tank is really to small for it. Unless you can upgrade to at least 125+watt lighting system you should not attempt an anemone. These are delicate animals and must have pristine water conditions to do well. Is this your first attempt at a saltwater tank? If so try as suggested some of the easier and nicer clowns that will do well in a tank of this size. Research, research, research before buying any fish or any other animal. Many LFSs have poor habits of selling fish that just should not be sold to the person buying them as either they don't have an understanding of the animal's needs and/or cannot provide adequate accomodations for their well being.

Angel*Fish · 11/17/2010, 10:45 PM

I wouldn't get maroon clowns again if my tank was 1000g. They just take up too much real estate and they turn all dark brown. I'd rather have cute little orangies

cpl40475 · 11/18/2010, 01:38 AM

I had a maroon in a 180 and he/she had a name that i cant say here on RC. Like others have said trade it in for a another less dominant clown.

Reefind · 11/18/2010, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonbry123

Many LFSs have poor habits of selling fish that just should not be sold to the person buying them as either they don't have an understanding of the animal's needs and/or cannot provide adequate accomodations for their well being.

That is the case here, I 'v been told that will grow no more than 3''.
I will try to trade it for other clown fish species. Thank you all for the help.

11/17/2010, 07:30 PM	#1
Reefind Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 57	Clown fish. Just bought a maroon clown fish about 2'', I have couple questions: 1- What kind of anemones can I get as a host? 2- Can I keep another clown fish with it? The tank is 36 gallon reef.

11/17/2010, 08:36 PM	#3
Angel*Fish cats and large squashes Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Houston Posts: 5,951 Blog Entries: 1	You're going to think I'm crazy, but a marroon clown can dominate about 20 of those 36 g. She will become very large and appear to be in a constant state of pms. She may even rearrange your rock work or not allow you to add corals where she doesnt want them. Pairing GSM clowns is challenging, but if you read up and are dedicated it is possible. My 2 cents: Catch this fish and return to the store for some percs or other smaller clown. You can just buy 2 percs and they will work out the pairing. The marroon clown will take immediately to bubble tip anemones. Do you have the correct lighting for an anemone? Percs will take to a BTA, but it's not natural so it may take some doing. I think the last time I put them in a 10g with the anemone and even partitioned it off so they were crammed into a small space with it. After they moved in, I put them all in the 100g. __________________ Marie So long, & thanks for all the fish! __________________________ Current Tank Info: Pairs: flame angels, cherub angels, Red Sea mimic blennies, yellow fin fairy wrasses, clowns, mandarins, blackcap basslets, shrimp gobies, damsels, dispar anthias, yellow clown gobies, threadfin cardinals --- Tanks: 100g reef, 2 x 30g refugiums

11/17/2010, 08:44 PM	#5
Angel*Fish cats and large squashes Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Houston Posts: 5,951 Blog Entries: 1	I'm afraid you would need to upgrade your lighting. __________________ Marie So long, & thanks for all the fish! __________________________ Current Tank Info: Pairs: flame angels, cherub angels, Red Sea mimic blennies, yellow fin fairy wrasses, clowns, mandarins, blackcap basslets, shrimp gobies, damsels, dispar anthias, yellow clown gobies, threadfin cardinals --- Tanks: 100g reef, 2 x 30g refugiums

11/17/2010, 09:20 PM	#8
greech Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 3,133	Yes another maroon will work but they can be difficult to pair up. May want to add the other before this one has a chance to grow up and turn female (if it has not already). Give this one time and allow the new tank to adjust to the bioload and then add a smaller juvenile maroon. THis is how most pair clowns from individuals but research pairing maroons to be sure. If you added any other fish you would want something that kept to the rocks like a goby or maybe a goby pistol combo that would burrow and stay out of the maroon's territory. I would be concerned about the lighting for a hosting nem too so do some research on power compacts and nems. Bubble tips are maroons natural host which happen to be one of the easier (albeit still fairly difficult) nems to keep. You have time to research and/or upgrade lighting since this is a recent upgrade. Your new tank should really mature for several months at least before trying a nem. __________________ ~Graham Current Tank Info: Tank: 40 breeder; 20H sump w/SWC 120; Sicce 3.0 return; Vortech MP-10; Sundial T5, DIY Actinic LED (3W Cree). Livestock: Pair of Black & Whites; Midas Blenny; Firefish; Yasha/pistol; Black Leopard Wrasse; LPS and SPS

11/17/2010, 09:41 PM	#10
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Note that the adult size of this fish is half a foot. They become quite hefty when they reach breeding size, and very aggressive, even toward a human hand in their tank. Go back to the lfs and see if you can work a trade for a percula. Much gentler clowns. [I had Clarkiis, another milder species, in a 100 g and they terrorized several damsels and a dottyback, plus bit me and drew blood every time I had to work in the tank.] __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

11/17/2010, 08:29 PM	#2
2Addicted Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,128	Are you experienced with anemones? If not I wouldnt try one in that small of a tank, unless your really good at keeping your water stable. You can try to pair it with another maroon clown but maroons are extremely aggressive and are not easy to pair. Do some research and you could have success. Tell us some info about your tank, like params lighting flow and how long its been running so we can let you know if your ready for a nem. To answer your question a E. Quadricolor (bubble tip anemone) would be what i would choose for your clown. They are known to be the hardiest host species of anemone, but are not hardy by any means.

11/17/2010, 09:05 PM	#7
2Addicted Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,128	You can keep the clown without an anemone. I dont think you will be able to have any other fish besides a mate for the clown in that size tank.

11/17/2010, 09:35 PM	#9
Reefind Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 57	The only other fish I have are 2 yellow clown gobies and 1 damsel fish, they are about 1.5'' size. I should'v searched a lot before adding that clown fish.

11/17/2010, 10:12 PM	#12
Angel*Fish cats and large squashes Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Houston Posts: 5,951 Blog Entries: 1	They grow really fast. We're not being overly cautious - you'll be better off with some other clown. But when I suggested trading it for a perc or some other smaller clown, I didn't realize you have low lighting (for an anemone). Percs have kind of a goofy stance in the tank if they don't have some kind of host. You might consider some other type of fish. __________________ Marie So long, & thanks for all the fish! __________________________ Current Tank Info: Pairs: flame angels, cherub angels, Red Sea mimic blennies, yellow fin fairy wrasses, clowns, mandarins, blackcap basslets, shrimp gobies, damsels, dispar anthias, yellow clown gobies, threadfin cardinals --- Tanks: 100g reef, 2 x 30g refugiums

11/17/2010, 10:33 PM	#13
jonbry123 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: allentown, pa Posts: 581	Agreed you really should take the Maroon back as the tank is really to small for it. Unless you can upgrade to at least 125+watt lighting system you should not attempt an anemone. These are delicate animals and must have pristine water conditions to do well. Is this your first attempt at a saltwater tank? If so try as suggested some of the easier and nicer clowns that will do well in a tank of this size. Research, research, research before buying any fish or any other animal. Many LFSs have poor habits of selling fish that just should not be sold to the person buying them as either they don't have an understanding of the animal's needs and/or cannot provide adequate accomodations for their well being. __________________ Bryan "You can swim all day in the Sea of Knowledge and still come out completely dry."-Norman Juster Current Tank Info: 300gl FOWLR/155glRT

11/17/2010, 10:45 PM	#14
Angel*Fish cats and large squashes Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Houston Posts: 5,951 Blog Entries: 1	I wouldn't get maroon clowns again if my tank was 1000g. They just take up too much real estate and they turn all dark brown. I'd rather have cute little orangies __________________ Marie So long, & thanks for all the fish! __________________________ Current Tank Info: Pairs: flame angels, cherub angels, Red Sea mimic blennies, yellow fin fairy wrasses, clowns, mandarins, blackcap basslets, shrimp gobies, damsels, dispar anthias, yellow clown gobies, threadfin cardinals --- Tanks: 100g reef, 2 x 30g refugiums

11/18/2010, 01:38 AM	#15
cpl40475 Just hanging out Join Date: May 2007 Location: ky Posts: 786	I had a maroon in a 180 and he/she had a name that i cant say here on RC. Like others have said trade it in for a another less dominant clown. __________________ Im just a redneck in a city slickers lifestyle Current Tank Info: WORKING ON IT

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