Percula/Ocellarius Clownfish Care

[ZachStep]

I have a couple of questions regarding the Percula and False Percula clowns. I was led to believe that these were the more easy to care for fish (after other damsels). However my recent trip to my LFS (two actually) has made me wonder if they are harder to care for than I had imagined.

Both Petco and Uncle Bills Pet Shop have told me that those two clowns (or Nemos as they refer to them) are difficult to take care of IF you can even get them to survive the trip home.

Is this true or false? I am just curious because they were the main reason of getting a FOWLR tank (I like their colors).

 

[GSMguy]

sounds like bills pet shop and petco are wrong

you are only getting a pair right?

 

[xbambamx]

clownfish have been pretty hardy in my tank..

 

[ZachStep]

I plan on a pair of clowns, a lawnmower blenny, and a turbo snail depending on how bad the algae becomes on my LR. I would love an anemone but that will have to wait until I am certain my tank is ready for it.

Also I have a 29 gallon tank, 45lbs of sand, 20-30lbs of tufa rock, and 2lbs of LR. and 130watts of lighting from PCs (10k and Antinic)

 

[adtravels]

In my experience clowns are not as bullet proof as some people make out some are positively fragile and susceptable to disease and water quality issues.

For a best chance you MUST go with tank raised juvenile stock.
For several reasons outlined by many people including J. wilkerson.

1. Already used to prepared foods and Humans (less stress)
2. may be more tolerant of poorer water conditions.
there are many more good reasons like no impact on ecosystems.


Yuo will ahve a real chance of succes with fish of this nature and it will give you chance to gain experience with water management and needs of the fish

Hope it helps

 

[ZachStep]

Juvies and tank raised were my plan for two reasons: more adapted to tank life, and to help prevent over fishing from the wild

 

[tpdpercula]

I have only had success once with purchasing Clownfish from PetCo. I had them order a pair of Black Ocellaris from ORA, and had them call me as soon as they arrived. I did not allow them to introduce them into their system they went to my tank straight from the bag.

Best of Luck

 

[OrangeKoi]

Isn't there something to be said on the subject of their method of capture as to their hardieness also?

 

[Ovuel]

FWIW: I know for a fact that if you buy from Petco you will only get tank raised. I've leaned that Petco really has a bad rap, which is ironic since I have been in a few good ones. I have been in a few terrible ones as well, however I figured it was another chain which was hit or miss. This really doesn't seem to be the case.

 

[ZachStep]

Well since Petco has tank raised, i'll be going there. As much as I would like to have Percula Clowns, Ocellarius will work just as well.

 

[OrangeKoi]

If they are indeed aquacultured, then they should also be telling you that they are max certified as that is one bonus of aquaculture, you know how they were caught.

 

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9602641#post9602641 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ZachStep
Well since Petco has tank raised, i'll be going there. As much as I would like to have Percula Clowns, Ocellarius will work just as well.

they can order ORA true percs

 

[GSMguy]

oops

 

[ZachStep]

Hmm....I will have to see how much that will cost. Can these also be tank raised?

 

[OrangeKoi]

Aquaculture is a fancy word for tank raised. :}:rollface:

 

[ZachStep]

What are the "veggies" that Ocellarius Clowns eat? When I asked the LFS they gave me what appeared to be green goldfish flakes. Do they eat anything else?

So far the two I own have looked at food, but not eaten any.

 

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9669103#post9669103 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ZachStep
What are the "veggies" that Ocellarius Clowns eat? When I asked the LFS they gave me what appeared to be green goldfish flakes. Do they eat anything else?

So far the two I own have looked at food, but not eaten any.

spirulina flakes work well to give them the vegitation they need

 

[ZachStep]

Is there anything I can leave in the tank (I have seen clips for algae at the LFS) so maybe they will try to eat when I am not around the tank?

I am being patient on them adapting, but I have owned them since Wednesday and they have not eaten once to my knowlege.

 

[OrangeKoi]

have you tried live foods such as brine shhrimp? they also might love cyclopese (dried or frozen), or other dried marine foods enhanced with garlic. Something about garlic drives them to eat.

Mine even suck up dt's. That's phyto plankton in a plastic bottle. It's pretty funny to watch them suck up a green mist but they love it.

They love the garlic enhanced marine foods though. Don't underestimate it.

How long have you had your tank up? Just curious.

 

[ZachStep]

Tank has been running since March 2(ish). It took me a week to dilute the premixed saltwater with R/O water to 1.022. After that I placed LR in and waited for the tank to cycle. I have some frozen shrimp that are in icecubes that the LFS told me they fed them. I will look so see what type it is. How much Garlic should I mix in with the shrimp?