Clownfish

Clarkii Clownfish

Amphiprion clarkii

Clarkii Clownfish is one of the most hardy, and therefore, one of the most common clownfish in home aquariums. A 30 gallon or larger aquarium containing an anemone of any type is desirable. It is semi-aggressive towards other clownfish and passive tank mates.

The Clarkii clownfish is a beautiful and hardy fish recommended for beginners. Aggressive only towards its own species it won’t harm smaller fish. Keep only 1 individual per aquarium. The A. Clarkii is easily confused with the A. Sebae; it is so difficult to differentiate them that some specialists are beginning to consider that they may be in fact the same species.

The A Clarkii can be kept safe with invertebrates. They will eat almost anything it is fed, but the diet should include meaty food items such as chopped shrimp and herbivore preparations. A high quality marine flake food, rich in spirulina algae, as well as freeze dried and frozen foods are readily accepted. They will also graze on any algae in the aquarium.

The Clarkii does not need an Anemone to survive, but will accept many different Anemones as its host, including corals. It is probably the least picky when it comes to Anemones and will accept Carpet Anemones, Bubble Tip Anemones, Sebae Anemone, or Long Tentacle Anemones as its host.

If the anemone dies, or there is no anemone, the clownfish will adapt by feeding its rock. It will literally chose a rock in the aquarium as its own, and faithfully drop food on it at every feeding, and even sleep near it at night.

Unlike other fishes clownfish are born with no determined sex, meaning they can change sex. In a group of clownfishes the largest individual will become a female, the second largest clownfish will become a male. If you remove the female from the school the the current male will change to female and the next larger individual will become a male.

A pair will lay eggs along the base of the host anemone, using it to protect the eggs. The eggs normally appear orange in color.

The eggs will normally hatch in 6-11 days depending on the temperature. Is extremely important to remove the fry the first day from the tank. Rear them separately on a diet of rotifers and baby brine shrimp.

Compatibility: Damsels, Dartfish, Dragonets, Filefish, Foxface, Gobies, Grunts, Jawfish, Hawkfish, Parrotfish, Pseudochromis, Puffers, Squirrelsfish, Tangs, Wrasse, Live Corals, Live Rocks and Invertebrates.

Avoid these tankmates: Groupers, Lionfish.

Clownfish Care:

Clownfish and Damselfish are the only species of fish which can avoid the stings of an anemone, which can be quite potent. The exact mechanism by which this is accomplished is the subject of debate

Clownfish in an aquarium environment can exist very well without an anemone (this may be advisable as most anemones are extremely difficult to keep alive even for experienced aquarists).

Clownfish Related Articles:

Breeding Clownfish: Breeding clowns is a very rewarding experience, and it's not nearly as hard as you might think. Obviously the first thing you need is a mated pair. There are several options to getting these. 

Sea Anemone: The long tentacles are equipped with stinging cells that paralyze prey. Anemones required excellent water conditions, moderate to strong current and intense lighting. A minimum light intensity of 10,000 lux is indispensable for them to survive and grow.

Coral Reef: Although corals are often mistaken for rocks or plants, they are actually composed of tiny, fragile animals called polyps. A polyp is a spineless animal. Polyps can be the size of a pinhead while others are larger, sometimes a foot in diameter. One coral branch is covered by thousands of these animals.

Maroon Clownfish. Do not move the Maroon Clownfish with a net as its cheekspines will become entangled. Use a specimen container if capture is necessary.

Tomato Clownfish. Coming from the Pacific Ocean this species can become very aggressive with age, however if you can buy a match pair, at the same time, they will often live together in harmony. It can be an excellent choice for the beginner since is very hardy and can live without an anemone.