Pair of Clarkii in a 40 gallon cube.

[MaestroCygni]

Hi everyone! I've got a 40 gallon semi-cube (24x24x16") cycling, and I would love to add a pair of A. clarkii, is this possible in this size tank? They would be the only fish in the tank except for a couple gobies and maybe a gramma, blenny or assessor.

 

[Swayze27]

Go for it.

 

[geckoejon]

I would say no... my buddy has had a clarkii pair for years. The female is easily well over 4" long. I would hate to see a fish that size in a 24" cube...

I would suggest a pair of ocelaris or a larger tank

 

[Swayze27]

I agree that a full size clarki would not be suitable but I think if you buy them small with the knowledge that you will have to relocate them in the future they should be ok for a good while. I just gave a mated pair away that I had for about 2 years and they never left a 2 foot area of the tank, lol.

 

[MaestroCygni]

Well, then I'll just get a pair of percula clowns. I don't want to relocate any fish as I would be too attached.

 

[elegance coral]

Most clarkii's would be fine in that tank.
Most of them don't reach those real large sizes.
Actually, IMHO, even the larger clarkiis would be fine in that tank. It's 4 square feet of floor space in that tank. Much more space than most breeders provide for their brood stock.
I kept a breeding pair in a 33 long for years, and they never left one end of the tank. Spent 99% of their time in about one square foot of space.
She was probably about 2.5", maybe 3" tops.

 

[nanoreefer1000]

Should be fine

 

[ReefMonkey714]

Breeders have clowns in smaller aquariums than a 24 gal so they should be ok

 

[MaestroCygni]

Dang, you guys set me thinking...
Would having an anemone for them to host help them do better in that tank? I've heard they don't swim far from the anemone once they host it.

 

[pfan151]

Dang, you guys set me thinking...
Would having an anemone for them to host help them do better in that tank? I've heard they don't swim far from the anemone once they host it.

I know many disagree but IMO clowns do much better when they are provided with an anemone. I believe they behave much more naturally as well.

 

[MaestroCygni]

I know many disagree but IMO clowns do much better when they are provided with an anemone. I believe they behave much more naturally as well.

Well, that's obvious, I guess. In the wild they also live with anemones. What anemone is easy to keep (I know BTAs are easy, but I've heard there are easier anemones).

 

[pfan151]

Well, that's obvious, I guess. In the wild they also live with anemones. What anemone is easy to keep (I know BTAs are easy, but I've heard there are easier anemones).

I think haddoni carpets are the easiest next to BTA's. Long tentacles and Crispa are easy if you can find a healthy one to start with.