Large Clownfish

[rosemoondust]

I don't know much when it comes to clownfish. My mom keeps bugging me about getting clowns for our 8ich in diameter hammer coral. I have nurtured this coral for over 3 years and so I have become very attached to it. I do however have a lionfish that is about 8-10 inches(i am not 100% since I have never actually measured it ) and he is now about 2 years old. Considering this guy will eat anything that potentially will fit in his mouth I need a clownfish that is fairly large. I don't know what would be the best clown to chose. I am open to any suggestions of a large clown that would potential host my hammer coral.

 

[Samcro]

i would suggest getting an adult pair of clowns to add to your tank. this way they will be too big to eat and stand up for themselves. any type of clowns would be good.

 

[jestr]

I would say maroons and they are more aggressive so they might be able to keep him at bay.. just keep in mind any fish you add is at your own risk!!

 

[Conrad25]

A larger Maroon will keep the lionfish in check, but I'm against a pair of them as they get too vicious it seems if they decide to breed. Also depends on tank size?

 

[rosemoondust]

My tank is 200 gallons. The only fishies in my tank is a russell lionfish, a magnificent foxface and zebra eel. I use to have lots of fish from tangs to butterflies. My foxface has a mean side and killed the butterfly and would continuously attack the tangs causing an outbreak of ich. So, I decided to keep my 3 favourite fish. I have no interest in breeding clownfish.

 

[elegance coral]

I honestly think a clown is a bad idea for your system. A small one may become food for your lion, and a larger one (especially maroon) may kill your coral.

 

[jake levi]

mixed tank

mixed tank

and the foxface is just bad waiting to happen. Between it and the lionfish about all that you could add would be a grouper or other aggressive fish.

 

[WDLV]

If you can find a super sized pair in the clarkii, saddleback or tomato complexes I'd say go for it. Marroon pairs tend to have a vast size difference and the male may become lunch. Ocellaris and percula will never get big enough. Skunks will not get big enough.
Your biggest problem will be finding a clarki or tomato complex clown in the 5"+ range or a saddleback complex in the 7"+ range. That's about the smallest I'd consider to share space with your lionfish. I've seen clarkii complex in the 7"-9" range but they're VERY few and far between. Your best bet would be to relocate the lionfish if you really want to see clowns in that system for the reasons I and others have already mentioned.

 

[Dream2aReef]

IMHO I wouldn't add any clowns to your tank. Have you thought about setting up a smaller tank to put the clowns into (just a thought)? However if you decide to do it anyway I would suggest some larger adults such as clarkii. At least they'd have a fighting chance to survive.

 

[Flaring Afro]

I wouldn't add any clowns either. Small ones might get eaten, while large ones will destroy the lion. Lions are slow swimmers and peaceful to anything that they can't eat (besides other lions sometimes). There is no need to "keep him in check".

 

[rosemoondust]

I will probably will have to set up another tank for clowns. I don't want to risk my lionfish getting hurt from an aggressive clownfish.