Right Equipment? Clowns/Anenmome?

[Firescue]

My tank has been establised for 13mos. with 25-30lbs lr. 3" argonite sand bed. Penguin 330 HOB filter, in the tank Aquarium Systems protein skimmer. Coralife 2x65 watt lighting system. It is only a 20 gal. tank.

Current inhabitants are a (Dragon Goby, Amblygobius phalaena) and two small damselfish that will not be staying, they were supposed to temporary, until I deceided what I wanted to do. Feather Dusters and a variety of sponge that were imorted VIA the LR.

My original idea was to try and pair off two Maroon Clowns in the tank with a Host anenome, I have disbanded this idea.

I would however like to try this with Amphiprion ocellaris var. the black color morph and it prefered host anenome?

Is this possible in this size aquarium??

Tank paramaters are at:
8.2 Ph
9-11 DKH
1.025 Sg
460 - 500 Ca.
78 - 80 Temp. Lights Off/On

Thanks in advance for any comments and suggestions.
Andrew

 

[davocean]

It will be a challenge to keep a nem in that size tank long term.
Hard to keep params stable, and intakes will be scary close, and most will outgrow quickly.
I would go w/ something like frogspawn instead.
And I'd lose the Penguin, or at least filter pads/sponges

 

[ocellaris123]

The only anemone i would be comfortable doing in a 20 gallon would be a bubble anemone. In time it will grow relatively large so i would only dedicate the tank for a clown/anemone display. Your lighting is fine, especially if you have a good reflector. As for the black ocellaris natural hosts, they all get too big for 20 gallons and are too difficult to care for long term. My black ocellaris pair host in a green bubble anemone they are great fish but relatively aggressive (at least mine are). If you keep up on maintenance a 20 gallon will not be difficult to keep stable, especially if you have had prior reef experience and do some reading. I know many people have clowns hosting in lps coral but im not a fan of clowns hosting corals such as frogspawns hammers, and torches. Not natural for the coral at all and it could lead to the death of the coral, although clowns have been known to kill anemones.

 

[Firescue]

The only thing I was planning on keeping was the Dragon Goby and the two ocellaris. The Penguin filter is just for flow. So with little reef experience this is a venture not well advised? Will the clowns pair off and be content with out a host anenome?

 

[ocellaris123]

Breeders keep and breed clownfish with nothing but a flower pot and clay tile, so an anemone is not needed for clownfish at all. Whether you want to try it or not is entirely up to you, just do your reading first on bubble anemones. Google karensroseanemones and go from there. That is an excellent website with everything you need to know for anemone care.

 

[Dragonlady]

It could be temporary setup with a bta if you have other tanks, but the natural hosts of ocellaris clowns are not advisable in a 20 gallon.

 

[davocean]

I've been doing this for quite a while, and I wouldn't do it.
Not that it can't be done, but it would be more headache than what I would want to deal with.
Intakes are just so close, and params change quickly, as well as many hosting nems reach about 20" plus in diameter.
I personally wouldn't do a nem in anything less than a 40g.
Your clowns will be fine w/out host, but many do opt for frogspawn, hammer, bubble coral as a substitue successfully.

 

[Dragonlady]

Corals are not a long term anemone substitute, but what is need?.

 

[davocean]

??
Not sure I understand comment.
Many like to see their clowns snuggling up in stuff, looks neato!LOL

 

[Firescue]

Thank you all for the information. It is much appreciated. I do not yet own the black ocellaris. So I could go back to the drawing board or just forget the anenome?? The other tank I have is a 45 High but I have no idea what type of lighting system would penetrate that tank? It is empty and I have no marine equip for it.

 

[davocean]

What is depth?