Thoughts on Maroon Clowns

[dartmti]

I really like maroon clowns and would like to add one to my soon to come saltwater tank. However, I have heard they can be very territorial and somewhat hard to keep.
But then it seems like other people have no trouble with them at all...

I'd appreciate hearing some of your opinions and any tips you might have on keeping them.

Some Q's:

What smallest size tank I need to keep them long term? I've been planning a tank somewhere around 30 U.S gallons, possibly larger if I have the money.

What are some good tankmates for them in a relatively smaller tank? One of my other favorites, the sixline wrasse, seems like it would be a compatible tankmate... Or not?

Thanks,

Matt

 

[reefer13]

I've got a maroon clown and a 6 line.
They're great together. The MC gets a little antsy when the wrasse gets to close to her anemone but as soon as the wrasse backs off they're ok. Iv'e never seen any aggression between them. MC's are aggressive towards other clowns though, practically homicidal. I'm sure you know that though if you've done your research.

30 gallons would be pushing it for the MC but doable while it's still small.

 

[dartmti]

Thanks for the info.

Yes, I've done PLENTY of research. lol

I'll try for a 40 gallon then. I really love this fish.

Any more info is greatly appreciated.

 

[timrandlerv10]

if you think you will ever want a mated pair, just save up and buy one to start with. the mating process for GSMs is a little more difficult than others...its almost as if she is saying 'husband...or death? I CHOOSE DEATH!' (for him)

 

[dartmti]

Thanks, but I only plan on keeping one singly.

Based on what I've seen, I think the books are a bit over-dramtic when it comes to the MC's temperment.

 

[davocean]

25yrs and several MC's tell me the books pretty much have it right on temperment, along w/bites on my hand, a few dead males, and broken corals!LOL

 

[davocean]

This is the most recent coral I tried to put I guess a little too close to her nem, a 7" monti on a 4" rock.
Before;

After

 

[dartmti]

lol, I guess I was wrong...

What do you think the minimum size tank is for keeping them long term? Is 30 gallons do-able?

 

[Madman133]

I had one that was really pretty calm actually...it was host some frilly shrooms and didnt really care if I came close to them or not but did make sure that the other fish didnt come close. Also got along with all of my tankmates great including a 6 line...im impressed with the damage that that coral has taken just from a maroon, never seen anything like that before. Also if u r planning on keeping a nem with it be sure to put the nem in first and let it get settled in. I made the mistake of putting a nem in after i put my gsm in and she loved it so much that she wouldnt leave it alone and killed it lol.

 

[drparker]

I had a pair and the older and bigger she got the meaner and nastier she became towards anything new. But was fine with the tank mates she grew up with. When I upgraded tanks I traded them in.

 

[dartmti]

Thanks guys. I'm going to try my best to accomodate this fish.

I just got back from the lfs and saw a mated pair of maroon clowns hosting a sebae anemone. Is it common for them to host that species?
I know the bubble tip anemone is what it hosts naturally, but I heard they accept a wide range of species. What kind of anemones have yours hosted?

 

[davocean]

MC's seem to dive straight into most nems pretty much right away.
A 30g is do able for clowns, if you plan on nem I'd try to go bigger, at least 40g.
The bigger you go the easier it is to keep stable.

 

[davocean]

Plus keep in mind, most nems do get big;

 

[dc]

I personally wouldn't even do a pair in a 40. My single is in a 75 and she patrols the whole tank. She was fine for about 5 years. Now if she doesn't like where something is she just knocks it over. We watched her knock over rocks easily twice her size. Then all the corals she has killed. Nothing goes in that tank. The only thing she hasn't killed is a cabbage leather, and hairy mushrooms.
I won't trade her in either, I don't see those fish going to good homes, who wants an old mean fish? It was my mistake, I'm the one who will suffer for it, not her.

 

[dartmti]

Thanks for the input. I guess everyone has differant experiances with them.
Ok, change of plans. I think I'll be getting the JBJ 28 gallon HQI system.
Is this tank Maroon worthy?
I know I'll be pushing the absolute limit, but I've seen people do it before. What do you guys think?

Edit: And I probably won't keep a nem in a tank this small. But if anyone thinks it's possible, then maybe I'll eventually do it.

Thanks again

Matt

 

[Slakker]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12960194#post12960194 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dc
My single is in a 75 and she patrols the whole tank.

Given that, I wouldn't put a maroon in a 28.

 

[dartmti]

I don't mind if mine patrols the whole tank or knocks over coral, I understand that this is something that happens naturally with this species and I'm willing to build around these behaviors.
As long as things won't get too violent, I'd still like to get one if they are at all possible in 28 gallons.

Thanks for the input

Matt

 

[davocean]

Me neither.
I've seen alot of pics/comments w/ short term success of alot things that could throw people off.
Not to tick off those who have them, but I find those system tanks to be a pain to gear up, modify, add sump...
There are sharp dudes that do it, but give me a plain ol tank I can put what I want on it anyday.

 

[the budman]

i originally had a pair in a 20 with a BTA and a 6 line. they got bigger and i upgraded to a 40 long. they have a BTA. they stay in one end of the tank most of the time. female will come towards fish going near the BTA but doesnt do anything. my tang and 6 line go riht next to the BTA with no aggression. maybe mine is a softie.
Bud

 

[davocean]

You'll mind when that coral/rock chips/scratches that purty new tank!LOL
I'm about 12' away from my tank while here, and I can HEAR rocks slam against glass!LOL