Begginer

[felix453]

What's the best begginer clown fish/ anemone combo. I'm pretty sure the percula clown fish is the best. I'd really love a maroon though. Should I get a pair? What goes in first the anem. or clown.


thanks

 

[SwampyBill]

Welcome to Reef Central! Definitely get clown first. Anemone's aren't for beginner's tanks, tho...It's suggested to wait at least 6 mos. before adding an anemone to a new tank; preferrably a yr. for the more difficult species like carpets...What size tank & lighting are you planning? Clownfish species are a personal preference. Percula, occelaris, tomatoes & skunks are all great. A pair of either would be great beginner fish, & fascinating behavior to watch while your tank matures. Gold-stripe maroon's are gorgeous, but IMO, are from HELL & usually become quite mean, & I'll personally never own another one...LOL! Good luck deciding!

 

[felix453]

thanks

thanks

If I were going to get a light so that way i could have corals and later on anemones, what lighting would i get?

 

[BonsaiNut]

It depends on the type of corals and anemones.

SPS corals and magnificas/giganteas and you will need very bright lighting (metal halide or bright LED)

LPS corals and most other anemones you will need bright lighting (VHO flourescents like T5s or similar)

Brighter is always better. You will see plenty of tanks not bright enough. I have yet to see a tank too bright.

Check out the Anemone and Clownfish FAQs at the top of the page for more info.

 

[SwampyBill]

I agree with BonsaiNut--brighter is always better...Depending on size of the tank, at the very least, get a 4 bulb T5 light fixture. Ideally would be a T5/MH combo.

 

[Angel*Fish]

I wouldn't recommend a maroon to a beginner simply because you might not realize what you're getting into. But if you want a big, dark 5 in fish that will decide that about 30g of your tank is hers and insist on approval of your landscaping, (rocks and corals) and may bite you when you put your hand in the tank this fish may be for you. It is an involved process to pair them also. You can't just add a juvenile or male to the female like other clowns.

 

[Angel*Fish]

Also the easiest anemone is a BTA, but BTA's are not natural hosts for percs so they might not take to it when you add it to the tank later. Therefore, the way I would do it would be to hold off on the clown until my tank and skills were ready for the BTA. That way you can put the new clowns and BTA in a small tank together and have a better chance of them accepting it as a host anemone and then move them all to your main tank together.

If they're long established in your tank and you add the BTA, you may have problems getting them to use it.