Setting your first-ever saltwater aquarium is extremely exciting, but at the same time, it is quite a challenge. Without any previous knowledge of fish-keeping, maintaining a fish tank, and selecting fish pets can be challenging. Besides, what is the point of having fish if they don’t entertain you?
Before you pick your fish pets for the tank, here is a valuable suggestion for you. Pick a clownfish to make your tank cool and fun to watch. Clownfish are one of the most popular types of fish that everyone loves! But not many people know there are so many varieties in clownfish, and finding the best clownfish is quite an effort. Don’t worry if this is your first time. Here is some essential information you’ll need- we’ve created a clownfish starter kit blog for beginners!
What is a Clownfish?
Clownfish are beautiful and tiny reef dwellers who are considered one of the best tank mates. This type of fish is very social, and it always travels in groups even while choosing a coral or rock to mark as their territory.
Interestingly, clownfish don’t just roam around in the water. Instead, they like to bond with other sea animals such as sea anemones, corals, and other small invertebrates. Just thinking of a fish living with sea anemone sounds like planned suicide. Why? Anemones have venomous tentacles, which release a paralytic venom and kill anything in contact with them. That’s why! Then they slowly engulf their prey. However, clownfish seem perfectly acclimatized with anemones and other creatures. These fish can be good friends with even the devil, literally.
Clownish rub their bodies with their choice of place or animal. This way, they develop immunity from the venom of these animals. When clownfish start to live on their host, they get natural protection from other marine predators.
This relation of clownfish and their hosts is not one-sided. It’s a win-win situation. In case of an attack, even the smallest groups of clownfish will hostilely attack and defend their host. They also remove the debris and food leftovers from anemone’s body. So this relationship is more of a symbiotic or mutualistic relation.
Choosing the best clownfish to keep at a fish tank is tricky because there are so many options. However, understanding the difference between them can help to make up a decision fast.
Wide Variety in Clownfish
There are probably dozens of clownfish with so many options in colors and textures. But basically, the clownfish have six major complexes that are as follows.
False Percula
False percula, also called common clownfish, is a vibrant colored type often seen underwater or in public aquariums. The female has a slightly bigger size than the male, and the average size is 3-4 inches. Usually, this fish lives in shallow reefs and is frequently seen in the Eastern Indian Ocean and Western Pacific Oceans. This type of clownfish has an unusual wobbling like swimming style, making them an absolute favorite addition to an aquarium.
The common clownfish is cheaper and available everywhere. It comes in so many colors and varieties and is relatively easier to keep, making the best clownfish for a fish tank at home.
Pink Skunk Clownfish
This is an unusual type of clownfish that is patterned. Their color is also very different from other varieties, and some people don’t even believe that it is a clownfish because it has no orange shade in it. This variety of clownfish is only found near New Guinea down and in Northern Australian regions.
By nature, pink skunk clownfish is non-migratory, calm, and peaceful, making it one of the best clownfish to keep in a fish tank. However, because of their quiet nature, they are also most vulnerable to stress, bullying by other fish, and sensitive to environmental changes. It is a high maintenance fish, and it may not be a good idea to buy a pink skunk clownfish if this is your first experience with fish.
True Percula Clownfish
This tiny bright orange fish is the most active and smart type of clownfish. It has a high demand because of its catchy colors and patterns. In the natural habitat, it is only found in the water near New Guinea and Northeastern Australia. The way they row their pectoral fins is delightful.
This fish is mild-mattered and not aggressive at all. It is also found in various color contrasts and extremely rare, such as all Black Percula Clownfish.
True Percula Clownfish is extremely sensitive to water and sanitation conditions as compared to other varieties. It means having them in your fish tank means putting more effort into maintaining water conditions, feeding habits, and cleaning. Overall, they require moderate care.
Maroon Clownfish
This type of clownfish can go up to 7 inches in size, making it the largest clownfish among all classes. The fish is naturally found in the Western Pacific Ocean. It is incredibly aggressive and doesn’t like to socialize with other fish. The fish is sometimes spotted in pairs, but the female maroon clownfish sometimes ditch the partner and roam alone. This species is intelligent and may also recognize the owner or frequent visitors who spend time with her.
Despite their aggressive nature, maroon clownfish are an excellent choice for home tanks. They are gorgeous, and because of their bright color, they enhance the beauty of your aquarium.
Saddleback Clownfish
This is also a unique type of clownfish that has distinctive stripes on its body. This pattern looks like a saddle mark because it has got its name of saddleback clownfish. The Clownfish is one of the most common fish in the Western Pacific Ocean. It is moderate in size and non-aggressive by nature. It is a highly socializing fish that likes to live in groups or with partners. They can live in a small fish tank, too, but it is better to keep at least a pair of this saddleback clownfish for company.
Cinnamon Clownfish
This type of clownfish is also called fire clownfish, and it is a large size fish that can grow nearly 5 inches long. It is an aggressive species that is not ideal for home tanks but can be kept in the public aquariums or community tanks professionally maintained. When they are young, their color is light orange, which becomes burnt orange once they mature. But as they age, this color changes to a much darker shade and orange hues only show up at the head, belly, or tail region.
Because of their aggressive nature, they are not the best clownfish for a home tank. They are incredibly territorial and end up marking the whole aquarium as their zone. Thus, keeping them with other fish can be a problem, especially in small-sized fish tanks.
Tomato Clownfish
This variety of clownfish is very much similar to cinnamon clownfish. Also known as boisterous Clownfish, it can grow larger than the average size. This variety is commonly found in the Western Pacific Ocean. It is an inexpensive clownfish that are semi-aggressive. The fish can co-exist with other clownfish or different fish, corals, and plants. It may like to intimidate other tank mates at the start, but they become somewhat friendly with time. They are straightforward to manage, making them one of the best clownfish to keep at home.
Clarkii Clownfish
Clarkii clownfish is a favorite choice for a person who has never kept fish before. This species is widely available in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. It comes in so many colors, morphs, and contrasts, and each one of them is distinctively beautiful. It is also a large size fish, but it is not aggressive at all. Keeping them at fish tanks is easy because they go very well with other tank mates. However, because of their size, you might need a bigger size tank. If there is free space available for roaming, there is no chance that clarkia clownfish can become aggressive at any stage. In addition to that, they are super inexpensive and can fit into everyone’s budget.
How to Keep Clownfish at Home?
If this is your first time with a fish tank, keeping a clownfish is an excellent choice. Clownfish require little maintenance as compared to other aquatic pets. If you keep a close eye on water conditions and food, this fish tends to live for a long time. The clownfish tank needs saltwater in it, and freshwater can only kill it. Choose a medium to large size tank if you are planning to keep multiple fish. Having a free space to swim prevents fish from stressing out. Typically, acrylic tanks are the best choice as they allow a clearer vision. If you want to create a natural habitat, try adding small rocks, plants, or reefs to your fish tank.
The life expectancy of clownfish varies in every species. In natural waters, clownfish live up to 17 years. But if you maintain ideal conditions, it can live for 3 to 5 years.
In Conclusion
Clownfish is easy to maintain, inexpensive, and attractive option for marine pets. There are no such best clownfish, which is superior to other varieties. But based on personal liking and management, one can pick any manageable type.
We hope this guide has helped you with a clownfish starter kit. Visit your nearest pet store to see which kinds of clownfish are available and pick the one you like best. Happy adopting!
