Clown Fish!

**jttt3** · 05-17-2007, 03:59 PM

I need to know the bare minimum for having 3-4 clownfish in a tank.

I love clownfish, and am saving up for a saltwater aquarium that I plan to start next year about this time. The only reason I want a salt water aquarium is because of clownfish lol.

Can someone give me a bare minimum list for the task I want to accomplish? I can look up prices. Nothing complicated, nothing super flashy, just clownfish and me lol.

Thanks!

James

**cocoa_pleco** · 05-17-2007, 08:32 PM

a 10g can hold 1-2 clowns, so id say get a 33g for 4.

Just a heads up, salt tanks are expensive! Mines wiped out 400$ from me, and its only a 10g

**2manyfish** · 05-17-2007, 08:54 PM

It's also important to note that you cannot mix clown species in small tanks. In very large tanks it's possible, but in smaller ones, the two species will often fight or harass each other to no end. There is also one species of clown that I would not try to keep more than a pair of them in the same tank and that's the maroon clown. The most aggressive of the clowns and also the biggest. Very good chance that the unpaired clowns would be harrassed to death. To keep multiple clowns I would go with either 4 ocellaris or 4 percula. Buy them all very small (aquacultured if at all possible!) and at the same time and the most dominant will become the female, the next in line will become the dominant male and the remaining 2 will be wannabe males in waiting!

I would also go with a standard 40g as it will be easy to find replacement parts/upgrade for the tank in the future.

You will need live rock, approx. 1 lb per gallon. Sand or crushed coral substrate, skimmer, heater, hydrometer, powerheads (at least 2) marine salt, test kits for saltwater. Filters are optional. I use a filter on my own salt tank although not everyone does. I like the fact that it takes bigger particles out of the water. BUT, if you use a filter it is very important that you clean it regularly and avoid bio-balls or bio-wheels like the plague. You can use your regular standard hood but you will want to change the bulbs out to either 50/50 or 10,000k bulbs.

Part of the fun of owning a salt tank is just planning for one!!

**jttt3** · 05-17-2007, 09:04 PM

Awesome, great information and exactly what I needed.

I'd go for the really small clown fish. The smaller the better. =)

Thanks again!

**Drumachine09** · 05-17-2007, 09:08 PM

I wouldnt put a clown in a 10.

**cocoa_pleco** · 05-17-2007, 09:17 PM

Originally Posted by jttt3

Awesome, great information and exactly what I needed.

I'd go for the really small clown fish. The smaller the better. =)

Thanks again!

I really like oscellaris clowns. Theyre good for nano tanks

**unleashed** · 05-18-2007, 12:09 AM

i think a 40g would be the minimum

Also, when two pair off (dominant male and female), you will need to monitor the other two clowns. I have seen male/female pairs of perculas and ocellaris attack and (sometimes) kill undominant clowns.