Best nem for Ocellaris

[Winwood]

Just sticking up for damsels a bit. There are a lot of great ones, especially in the Chrysiptera genus.

 

[D-Nak]

As others have noted, you're basically at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of hosting anemones for ocellaris -- which tend to be large anemones not suited for a small tank, versus a relatively small anemone such as a BTA that typically don't serve as hosts for ocellaris (but can and have on occasion. but simply without consistent results).

I think you need to consider your options versus your wants. If you want a more peaceful clown that may not form a symbiotic relationship with an anemone, then ocellaris is a good choice. If you want an almost guaranteed bond then a BTA and maroon clown is a good choice, with the caveat that the clown may become aggressive.

 

[ALH]

So it seems that I'm not crazy thinking along the lines that I am. I like the maroon clown best but don't actually need to have one, nor do I need a pair, but a pair would be nice. Gold banded maroon is on the top of my list.

One fish I WOULD NEVER GET IS A DAMSEL :angryfire:

Clownfish are damsels, Family Pomacentiridae

 

[ALH]

almost spelled that correctly- Pomacentridae.

 

[D-Nak]

Clownfish are damsels, Family Pomacentiridae

While this is true, most if not all of us refer to clowns as clowns and damsels as damsels. This is because Amphiprion = clownfish and Premnas = damsels. That's where the bigger difference lies.

 

[ThRoewer]

So it seems that I'm not crazy thinking along the lines that I am. I like the maroon clown best but don't actually need to have one, nor do I need a pair, but a pair would be nice. Gold banded maroon is on the top of my list.

One fish I WOULD NEVER GET IS A DAMSEL :angryfire:

Clownfish should always and only kept as pairs. (I would actually extend this statement to all fish that form pairs or harems groups in the wild).
You hardly ever find clownfish alone in the wild. A lonely clownfish is just a very, very sad thing and it can actually raise it's aggression rather than lower it.

Actually there are quite a few pretty peaceful damsels that cause no trouble, especially if kept in groups or pairs and not with similarly colored fish.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Ok, let me clarify, I want a nem for my 29 which pretty much leaves me to BTA's. This said I prefer the green over the red.

I'd like at least one clown in this mix, not very picky on which one just a pleasant reef member. A pair would be preferable.

The other fish I mentioned above I would want one of each. I'd also like to add a butterfly but I can only find one that is suitable with reef's. Yellow pyramid butterfly

Down the road if I decide to get another large tank I'm pretty much going with butterflyfish. They are truly my favorite marine fish.

So back to the small reef. What other clowns do you recommend that will be happy with hosting a GBTA?

As far as Damsels go, I screwed up and put one in my 200 gal lrfo and due to my stupidity it had something that killed my whole tank. I've got a hate thing for damsels because of it. Yeah it was me not the fish, I get that but still....

 

[Dkuhlmann]

So maybe a better choice would be Percula or Tomato, over the Maroon? Still going with the GBTA of course.

 

[OrionN]

For a 30 gal tank, I would get a H. malu and a A. percula pair. I have never have problem with this non-natural pair. Ocellaris will not have problem with this anemone either, especially if this is the only anemone in the tank. Then you can have a few more small fish.
If you feel up to it, you can try a SMALL Magnifica or Gigantea and don't feed him. IF YOU DON"T FEED him, you will be able to keep the Gigantea or Magnifica for years in a 30 gal tank.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Great info Minh! Thank you :thumbsup: