What kind of clown?

[reef3r]

Hi, Soon I will be adding fish to my 29g reef tank. I know I definitely want a pair of clownfish and I don't know what kind to get. They will be my first saltwater fish ever, and probably the first fish added to the tank. I don't really want occelaris or percula, just because they're so common. Looking at liveaquaria and a few other sites, my favorites were Clarkii and Sebae clownfish. Would they get too big for a pair in a 29g? If they do, what other kinds of clownfish would be good (not occelaris or percula)? I look forward to a response.

 

[kkyyllee]

sebea and clarkii both get 6" so they get to big, what about pink skunk clowns?

 

[criccio]

How about black variant A. ocellaris. They stay smaller, and aren't nearly as popular as their orange cousins.

 

[reef3r]

Maybe. I was thinking about them... Do they behave like normal occelaris?

 

[Slakker]

Pink skunks would probably be okay.

 

[reef3r]

I don't really like pink skunks. What about this:
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=2625

 

[Slakker]

It's just a fancily named misbarred ocellaris...if you wanna pay twice as much for the same fish, go ahead...but IMO not worth it. You can probably find misbars at the LFS for standard price.

 

[reef3r]

Hmmm... I'll probably get the black and white, then.

 

[chrispc66]

Why not try red saddleback anemone fish, sometimes referred to as fireclowns, a 29G is plenty for a pair. They seem to take to anemones real well.

I have a pair and they are great, however they do not tolerate other clown species well, I have had to move my percula pair into another tank.

 

[reef3r]

Sorry to bring this back up, but the tank I got is 37g. Is that enough for a pair of Clarkiis? It's 30" x 12" x 22".

Also, how big do those saddleback clowns get?

 

[Slakker]

red saddleback (A. Ephippium) gets to about the same size as other clowns in the Tomato complex. They are a bit harder to come by...I have never seen them at my LFS.

 

[reef3r]

Yeah, I"ve never seen them...
They aren't on liveaquaria, but they have a brown saddleback and a black saddleback. I kind of like the brown, but the black doesn't look too different than a black percula or occelaris. Maybe I'll ask my lfs if they can get some in.

 

[reef3r]

I would rather have the clarkiis, though.

 

[raleej337]

Get a B/W Ocellaris.

 

[BristlewormKing]

It is kinda hard to suggest one particular species over the other - perhaps it is better to start with specific parameters - color, hosts, other characteristics. If it is something as simple as color, go through the gallery and look at different images. If you find one or two that catch your eye, check the threads for details about that particular type (i.e., percs may jump more, fire clowns may bite more, etc.). Or you can do like some of us and just get every species you can find (in different tanks of course) and sit back and enjoy!

 

[bencozzy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10177044#post10177044 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chrispc66
Why not try red saddleback anemone fish, sometimes referred to as fireclowns, a 29G is plenty for a pair. They seem to take to anemones real well.

I have a pair and they are great, however they do not tolerate other clown species well, I have had to move my percula pair into another tank.

looks to me like you have A. melanopus, they are much smaller than Amphiprion ephippium, Saddle anemonefish: aquarium

 

[reef3r]

Sebaes and Clarkiis are still my favorite. Is my tank big enough for a pair of either one? It's 37g.

 

[BristlewormKing]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10263557#post10263557 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bencozzy
looks to me like you have A. melanopus, they are much smaller than Amphiprion ephippium, Saddle anemonefish: aquarium

No, that is a red saddleback in the pic - the saddle and coloration changes as they age - the saddle on my older pair has actually faded out to a dark purplish color and the bright red/orange has turned into blood red - gorgeous at that age, but the stinkers won't stay still for a decent pic.

 

[reef3r]

bump

 

[Moonstream]

is it a 37 gallon bow front? if it is they think about getting a smaller clown.
the b/w Ocellaris clowns are the same as the normals, just a diff. color. They would be ideal if you plan on having any passive fish in the tank.
The larger clowns are more aggressive, and would do best alone w/ only each other for company. The arger clowns are cinamon, maroon, clarkii, tomato, sebae, ect...
Check out the clowns here and rank them in the order you like them, then we can tell you the best kinds of clowns for you.
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?pCatId=27