Tips on Clownfish Care and Spawning

Clownfish are classified in the family Pomacentridae. The clownfish is among a group of species commonly known as damsels. There are 28 recognized species of clownfish. Of them, 27 belong to the genus Amphiprion. Clownfish are native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Its natural habitat includes the Great Barrier Reef and the Red Sea.

The color palette varies among clownfish depending on the species. They can be found in orange, reddish orange, maroon, yellow, or black. Most species have the characteristic white bars with black ornaments on the body for which they are named. These black and white stripes that contrast with the color of the fish’s body make it look like they are wearing a clown costume. The clownfish grows 4 to 6 inches depending on the species. Its useful life ranges between 3 and 6 years.

Clownfish are well known for the symbiotic mutualism they share with the sea anemone. The coevolution of these two animals creates one of the most interesting symbiotic relationships found in nature. Sea anemones are highly toxic to most marine life. This exotic creature paralyzes its prey with powerful neurotoxins. It then uses its tentacles to attract prey into its gastrovascular cavity for digestion. This unique cavity functions as a mouth and anus. The digestive process results in semi-digested matter that floats around the anemone’s immediate vicinity. The clownfish ingest this matter as a source of protein. They then excrete fecal matter which is an additional source of protein for the anemone.

Clownfish have a mucous membrane that surrounds their body and acts as a natural barrier against poisonous anemone nematocysts. Scientific experimentation has resulted in the death of clownfish exposed to these neurotoxins after being stripped of their protective mucus. This mucus allows the clownfish to seek refuge from predation within the protection of the anemone’s tentacles. It is common for the clownfish to remain 2-4 inches from its host throughout its life. This symbiosis has led to the clownfish being commonly called clownfish.

Clownfish are tough and docile creatures. They are an excellent choice for amateur aquarists. They are also the perfect addition to a marine reef tank. Keeping sea anemones presents a bigger challenge. Fortunately for the beginner, the clownfish can be kept without the presence of its natural host animals. Just make sure you provide them with adequate hiding places and avoid mixing them with more aggressive species and you’ll be fine. Once you have more experience, you can choose to add an anemone to your aquarium. Be sure to check compatibility with your local fish store or online retailer. Individual species of clownfish are compatible with different sea anemones.

Despite its degrading nature, the clownfish will exhibit territorial behavior towards other clownfish, especially clownfish of the same species. It is better to have a single clown fish or a pair.

Clownfish have been commercially bred in captivity. When buying any fish that can be raised in captivity, you want to buy a captive-born fish rather than a wild-caught fish. You will have a happy, healthy fish that is much more likely to acclimate to its new environment. And tank-raised fish are generally more resistant to disease than their wild counterparts.

Clownfish are omnivores. A clownfish raised without the presence of a sea anemone can be fed vitamin-enriched brine shrimp or zooplankton in combination with frozen seafood formulated for omnivores.

Spawning clownfish Unlike most species of hermaphroditic fish, clownfish are sequential hermaphrodites. All clownfish are born as males unlike the protogyny hermaphrodites which are always born as females. If there are two clownfish in an aquarium together, the larger and more dominant of the two will transform into a female.

You will want to use a breeding tank if you are trying to breed a pair of clownfish in captivity. Lay a piece of pvc pipe at the bottom of your aquarium floor to use as a brood chamber. The eggs will be deposited at the bottom of the pipe or on the surface of a nearby flat rock. The fry hatch between 6 and 10 days later.

Newborn fry are very small. They must be fed rotifers until they mature. Once they grow a bit older, they can be fed newborn brine shrimp or dry powdered food.