It is certainly no secret that Clownfish are one of the most popular saltwater fish out there, and you can see exactly why!
They have a bright orange body with black markings and white stripes, showcasing incredible colors and unique patterns, not only this but they are peaceful by nature, which is always looked for in exotic fish, and they rose to mainstream fame due to their famous appearance on the film “Finding Nemo”.
However, despite being a super popular fish, there are still many people who do not know enough about them, and especially their requirements like what Clownfish tank size do I need before purchasing my fish.
What Are Clownfish?
Clownfish are a small tropical marine fish that are typically found in warm waters, such as the Red Sea in Egypt, and the Pacific Oceans.
Clownfish will spend most of their days in swimming around sheltered reefs or lagoons, they also reside in anemones in the wild, which is really awesome as they are beautiful-looking corals that can be added to a Clownfish aquarium with relative ease.
Anemones have many stinging tentacles surrounding them for protection, but Clownfish have a protective mucus that helps protect them from being sharply stung.
In return, Clownfish will protect and guard their anemone with their life.
Something many people do not know about when it comes to Clownfish is that there are actually several different types, or sub-species!
5 Popular Types of Clownfish
There are many different types of Clownfish that can either have very subtle differences from one-another, or some rather glaring differences, let’s dive into the most popular types!
Pink Skunk Clownfish – These Clownfish sub-species are perhaps the most unique to all other Clownfish, mainly because they do not look like your typical Clown you see on the TV, they have an all-pink body, with white stripes travelling vertically down each side of their face. They are peaceful fish and also the second-biggest type of Clownfish.
Tomato Clownfish – Tomato Clowns are not all that exciting when you compare them with the other types. Sporting an orange body, with a similar, one-white stripe pattern than the pink skunk Clown. They are the third-largest Clownfish and also the hardiest, meaning that they do not catch diseases very easily.
Saddleback Clownfish – Saddlebacks are definitely the most adorable Clownfish type, the white spots that appear on the body resemble a saddle, which is why they got the name! They are certainly darker in color than most other Clownfish, even coming in all black sometimes. Compared with some of the other Clownfish, these can be pretty hard to keep, and it is advised to have a good level of experience before taking up the challenge.
Clarkii Clownfish – These Clownfish are unquestionably the largest out of all the sub-species. When you think of Clownfish, these are the guys who spring to mind. They take up the appearance of nemo, with bright orange, black, and white colors, and marks all over their bodies. You will occasionally see the different types sport some color changes, like black or brown.Maroon Clownfish – Maroons are beautiful Clownfish that do not have any crazy patterns or spots, but what they do have is a lot of character and brilliant personalities, as well as an awesome deep-maroon color!
Clownfish Tank Setup & Requirements
There are many saltwater fish in the hobby that you will like and want to use to create a colorful and happy aquarium.
However, it is not as straightforward as just adding fish to a saltwater tank and hoping for the best.
Each fish is different and therefore will require different tank setups, this is certainly the case with Clownfish, and it is important to properly learn how to set their home up.
How Many Gallons Do They Need?
When it comes to Clownfish tank size, in general, they need at the very least a 20-gallon tank so that they have enough room to explore and also find hiding spots.
The majority of Clownfish owners will prefer to use a 30 gallon (113 liters) or bigger tank. This is to provide as much space as possible and also to accommodate an Anemone too.
For each Clownfish you add, you should increase the tank size by a further 10 gallons.
Clownfish Care – Water Parameters and Temperature
The gravity in your Clownfish water should range between 1.021 and 1.026, equaling 19 to 35 PPT, these numbers can be found in your salinity meter.
Your pH level should range between 8.0 to 8.4, no more or less.
When it comes to your Clownfish tank temperature, for the best Clownfish living conditions, you should aim to reach a water temperature that ranges between 73℉ and 80℉ (22.8°C – 27°C).
Clownfish Tank Mates
Clownfish are without a doubt a truly special fish, boasting an array of bright and beautiful colors and carrying such a peaceful and compatible personality around with them, which is why tank mates and building a community around them is so important.
Fortunately, Clownfish are very relaxed and will be able to live with almost any other fish, but not all fish will get along with them!
Here are 10 compatible Clownfish tank mates:
- Wrasses
- Damselfish
- Tangs
- Dartfish
- Angelfish
- Blennies
- Puffers
- Corals
- Anemones
- Gobies
Conclusion
In conclusion, Clownfish are just remarkable saltwater fish, they have so much variety within their own species that you would never get bored of them!
They are also very hardy and peaceful, meaning they won’t catch any crazy diseases and they are also model citizens of any community, getting along with almost any other fish they are kept with.
There are some sub-species that are bigger than others, some that are much hardier, and some that simply possess some incredibly beautiful colors and patterns, which is why Clownfish, as a fish species are certainly one of the best to ever enter saltwater aquariums!