What is the Best Clownfish???

[Beckmola24]

I am currently trying to upgrade to a 75 gallon reef. I love clowns. I currently have 2 Ocellaris, but in my new tank I want a different breed. I've done a lot of reading about clowns, but the best advice comes from everyone's personal experiences here. What types of clowns are good in reef tanks? I like the Gold stripe maroon but know they can be extremely agressive and territorial. What are other clowns that would be good?? I also like the tomato or the sebae. Anyone have any info on these? I'd appreciate any info anyone can give me. I was hoping to put other fish in the tank. Which one is the most compatible??

 

[kevinpo]

Skunk clowns are the less aggressive than the 2 you have listed.
They will host in LTA (M. doreensis) anemone consistantly.

HTH,
Kevin

 

[Alice]

I like skunk clowns Especially the more orange-colored variety.

The Tomatos, Sebaes and the other larger clowns (Cinnamon, Fire - several common names) rank right behind the Maroons in aggression.

 

[Beckmola24]

What about Clarkii?? They seem so cute =)

 

[kevinpo]

They are also quite aggressive.

Regards,
Kevin

 

[clownnrnd]

i like my true percs but there is not alot of contast from your ocellaris. I've had melanopus(not sure if spelled right0 in the past and they are really pretty but tend to be on the aggressive side. i think aggression has alot to do w/ tankmates,tank size,if there is a mate present. I assume the ocellaris will not be sharing the same tank.
Good luck

 

[Beckmola24]

Does anybody know anything about the Red Sea Clown? Does anyone know if the LFS in the Seattle area carry them?

 

[Beckmola24]

Do clowns generally pick on gobies or blennies??

 

[jks1]

I think maroons are about the most aggressive. Most will be alright with gobies. Just remember they will defend their host or hiding place against any intruder- even your hand...

 

[Ray Pollett]

All the clowns are reef safe in my opinion. Some are more agressive than others, but are still great tank additions. I have the following clowns in different tanks.

False Percula
Percula
Saddleback
Tomato
Carkii
Maroon

Ray

 

[Beckmola24]

Ray
Which Clown do you find the most outgoing and interesting? I can't seem to decide between what you have =) I like them all. I have an Ocellaris which is pretty interesting but I would like to get another kind as well.

Thanks!

 

[Ray Pollett]

The clowns I have are tank raised. So the character of some is different than wild caught. The Maroons are not all that agressive. They just hang out in the BTA or LTA. They will defend them but rarely venture out very far.

The False Perculas are the ones that seem to have the most personallity, but the tank raised ones I've seen only rarely take to anemones.

The Tomatoes, Saddlebacks and clarkiis fall somewhere in between. They take to anemones easily and quickly. They swim out from and around the anemones more than the maroon. I think Clarkiis are my favorite in most tanks but I like them all.

Ray

 

[Beckmola24]

Thanks for the clown info. I was actually leaning towards the Clarkii. What type on anemone are yours hosting?

 

[mattseattle]

I really like my False Perculas. I only have the one though and want to try to get a mated pair. She is very friendly and always comes to the glass and swims around when I am near the tank. It took her about 2 months to actually host in my LTA but now she loves it and defends it. She is tank raised.

 

[big t]

My favorite clowns are the all black ocellaris. I am seriously considering trading in my mated pair of standard ocellaris, for a pair of them. I don't know if I will really be able to do that tho, I am rather attatched to my pair. I have had 1 of them for almost 2 years, and the other for a year. They are great.

 

[mattseattle]

so how did you end up with a mated pair? what's the secret?

 

[Beckmola24]

I second the question!

 

[Beckmola24]

Has anybody bred their clowns and raised any of the fry??

 

[big t]

The secret is you buy a little one, let it get big, then but another little one, and let it get beat up for a couple days then presto, mated pair. That is how I did it anyway. lol

 

[mattseattle]

yeah, the False Perc I bought was about 1.5" when I bought it about 5 months ago. It's probably a little over 2" now....so how big does it need to get before I should buy another little one? and how little should it be?

I guess I should leave town while it's getting beat up though as I'm not sure I could watch that