Clownfish for H. crispa

[jer77]

I've had an H. crispa for about 10 years now and once had a huge aggressive A. clarkii that lived in it and laid eggs regularly before it died a few years ago. I'm now trying to figure out what the least aggressive and smallest clownfish I could find anywhere that would still host in my H. crispa? Any ideas?

I know most of the common perculas don't make the cut, so for people out there that know a little more in depth on clown species a little help would be appreciated!

Here's what my old tank looked like with the crispa and clown as the main centerpiece, the only way she would have it of course.

 

[rhdoug]

I just crossed the 9 year mark with my crispa. It has hosted both maroons and (currently) occellaris with no problems.

 

[OrionN]

I had Percula and Ocellaris with my Crispa, and also with my Malu without problem. They were in there in minutes

 

[jer77]

Interesting. Were they fully grown or mated pairs? I may have tried before with juvenile percula.

 

[jer77]

I was looking into other species than those anyways. Are there some species that are less common that would have a good chance?

 

[rhdoug]

Both of my pairs were not paired before getting into my tank. The maroons were both small and came to me at the same time. The occellaris were a bit larger, female was in the tank about a month alone. They paired up instantly after introducing the male. She swam up to the bag and stayed there while I floated the male, and then she gently escorted him to the anemone as soon as I released him. It was great!

 

[garygb]

jer77, orange skunks love them.

 

[phender]

I second the orange skunks. They are one of the most anemone friendly clowns I have ever owned. The way they interact with their anemone is really cool. They seem to need to be in contact almost 100% of the time.

They are different and pretty at the same time. Even though they are not a "rare" clown, they seem to be brought in less frequently than in the past. I blame "Finding Nemo".

 

[jer77]

I had a website bookmarked before I rebuild my PC that offered many different types of clowns especially and other uncommon fish and inverts. Anyone know of any place like that now? They had like 20-25 different varieties at least.

Skunks are pretty cool looking I guess. I would guess they are similar in aggression to clarkii's? I just can't stand a sebae or a clarkii anymore, and the perc's are too passive unless you have a mated pair or two or three sharing a nem.

 

[Winwood]

jer77, orange skunks love them.

Also agree with Gary and Phil, go orange skunks. They are great looking, a natural symbiot, and a relatively peaceful fish. Plus, they tend to spend all day in their nem, which is great!

BTW, I love your butterflies! How are they on your leathers? Do they bother your anemone now that it is unoccupied?

 

[Toddrtrex]

I currently have a pair of orange skunks (( not mated )) and they are pretty mellow. The female will swim next to my blue spotted puffer (( Canthigaster papua )) if it gets too close, but never actually go after it.

Mine were first hosted by an S. haddoni, and now by 2 M. doreensis. IMO, they are under-rated, yet beautiful clowns.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I had a spawning pair of pink skunks in my purple H. crispa for many years and they never bothered anything. Even a spawning pair of ocellaris only a few inches away were not a problem for my skunks. The only thing they challenged was their own reflection when I cleaned the glass.

 

[jer77]

BTW, I love your butterflies! How are they on your leathers? Do they bother your anemone now that it is unoccupied?

Thanks, I always loved the look of the butterflies. I found it is really up to the actual fish whether it has tendencies to pick on corals or inverts. I was lucky that my three didn't bother anything and accepted the same feeding of mysis as all my fish. Now without the clarkii, the C. falcula will courageously swim into the nem to eat any food or waste:twitch: around its mouth. The three species I have are not as known to eat corals especially leathers, as others I've considered buying. The all swim together and are a nice addition to my tank.

 

[anemone fan]

Amphiprion akindynos, A. bicinctus, A. chrysopterus, A. clarkii, A. ephippium, A. latezonatus, A. leucokranos, A. melanopus, A. omanensis, A. percula, A. perideraion, A. polymnus, A. sandaracinos, and A. tricinctus all host Heteractis crispa. Pick the one you like. Some are more rare in the trade of course.