Clownfish, also known as anemonefish, are a popular choice for saltwater aquariums. With their bright colors and playful personalities, it’s no wonder why. But how many clownfish can you keep together in one tank? The quick answer is yes, you can keep 4 clownfish in a tank if it’s large enough.
How much room do clownfish need?
Clownfish do well in a minimum tank size of 30 gallons or larger. This allows them adequate room to swim and plenty of space between anemone hosts. As a general rule, provide at least 10 gallons of water per clownfish in the aquarium.
So for 4 clownfish, aim for an aquarium of 40 gallons or more. A tank of this size gives them space to peacefully coexist and reduces aggression.
Ideal tank conditions for clownfish
In addition to size, clownfish also need proper water conditions. Here are the ideal tank parameters:
- Temperature between 74-80°F
- pH between 8.1-8.4
- Alkalinity between 3-4dkH
- Specific gravity between 1.020-1.025
Stable water parameters reduce stress and support their health. Perform regular partial water changes of 10-15% weekly. Use a quality salt mix and RO/DI filtered water for best results.
Tank mates for clownfish
Clownfish are relatively peaceful, but may show aggression towards other clownfish or similar looking fish. Here are some suitable tank mates:
- Damselfish
- Cardinalfish
- Blennies
- Gobies
- Chromis
- Rabbitfish
- Mandarinfish
Avoid keeping clownfish with large semi-aggressive species that may harass or eat them, like triggers, puffers, and lionfish. Also avoid aggressive damselfish like sergeant majors.
Feeding clownfish
Clownfish are omnivores and need a varied diet. Feed them 2-3 times per day. Make sure any food is completely consumed within a few minutes.
These foods are excellent choices:
- Marine flakes
- Freeze dried shrimp
- Brine shrimp
- Mysis shrimp
- Cyclops
- Chopped seafood
- Vegetable matter like spirulina
Supplement their diet with vitamins to support health. Target feed aggressively eating fish to prevent skinny or weakened clownfish.
Clownfish behavior
Clownfish live in groups with a hierarchy. The largest female is the dominant fish, while the breeding male is the second in charge. Smaller males follow behind the female.
They are very active with big personalities! You will see them swimming around the tank interacting with anemones. Clownfish often display interesting behaviors like:
- Hosting anemones and poking at them
- Chasing each other
- Darting back and forth
- Bobbing side to side
Adding 4 clownfish allows you to witness interesting group dynamics. Just monitor for bullying and remove aggressive fish if needed.
Choosing clownfish for your tank
With over 30 species, you have lots of clownfish to choose from! Here are some popular varieties:
- Ocellaris clownfish – Orange with white bands, hardy beginner fish
- Percula clownfish – Orange with darker fine black lines, max size 3 inches
- Maroon clownfish – Brick red coloration, semi-aggressive
- Tomato clownfish – Bright red, need larger tank
- Sebae clownfish – Orange face, black sides and tail
- Clarkii clownfish – Yellow tail and fins, peaceful
Use caution mixing clownfish species or drastically different sizes. Stick to one type for best compatibility.
Tank setup and equipment
The tank setup should include:
- Filtration – Use a high quality canister filter rated for at least twice the tank size
- Heater – Maintain proper water temperature
- Saltwater mix – Use a complete salt mix, don’t just use aquarium salt
- Sand substrate – Clownfish like sand, aim for 2-3 inch depth
- Rocks and caves – Give them plenty of rocks, overhangs, and caves to explore and hide in
- Anemones – Host anemones like bubble tip or carpet anemones
- Powerheads – Create a gentle water flow that mimics ocean currents
- Protein skimmer – Help remove waste from the water
- Aquarium test kits – Allow you to monitor water parameters
With the proper setup, your clownfish will thrive. Make sure to give them room to swim and places to take shelter.
Acclimating new clownfish
To add new clownfish to your tank:
- Turn off aquarium lights and float bagged fish for 15 minutes to temperature acclimate
- Open bag and roll down edges to add a little aquarium water every 5 minutes
- After 30 minutes, gently net fish and transfer to aquarium
- Discard transport water, it contains ammonia buildup
- Monitor new fish closely, allow them to settle in before introducing tank mates
Taking the time to properly acclimate reduces stress and promotes health after transport.
Clownfish hosting anemones
One of the most interesting things about clownfish is their symbiotic relationship with anemones. By hosting anemones, clownfish gain protection from predators.
Here are some tips for getting clownfish to host anemones:
- Select carpet or bubble tip anemones suited for clownfish
- Allow the anemone to acclimate to your tank first
- Turn off skimmer and powerheads when introducing clownfish to prevent them from being blown away
- Moving a clownfish close to the anemone may encourage hosting
- Be patient, the process can take days or weeks
- Make sure the anemone is placed in an area the clownfish frequents
- Feed the anemone to associate it with a food source
Don’t force the issue by prodding the clownfish. Hosting will occur naturally once the fish accepts the anemone.
Signs of healthy clownfish
It’s easy to tell when clownfish are healthy. Look for these signs:
- Bright, vivid colors
- Actively swimming around tank
- Shiny skin with erect fins
- Smooth rapid breathing
- Eating regularly at feedings
- No scratching against objects
Healthy clownfish are active, colorful, and have an alert look. Respond right away if you notice any changes in behavior or appearance.
Common clownfish illnesses
Some common clownfish conditions to watch for include:
- Ich (White spot disease) – Small white dots on skin, use copper treatments
- Marine velvet – Rusty yellowish coating, treat with copper
- Brooklynella – Heavy breathing and lethargy, extremely contagious
- Bacterial infections – Clamped fins, ulcers, reddened areas
- Intestinal parasites – Skinny appearance, trat with medications
Quarantine new fish and use proper acclimation practices to prevent introduction of disease. Maintain excellent water quality and reduce stress for healthy clownfish.
Clownfish breeding and pairs
One male and one female clownfish will pair together and breed in your aquarium. Here’s what you can expect:
- Mating ritual where the male displays to the female
- The male protects the nest site while the female lays between 100-1000 eggs
- The male fertilizes the eggs and tends the nest
- After 6-8 days eggs hatch into larvae
- The larvae float for about two weeks before settling down
- Juveniles will become mature between 6-12 months
Provide plentiful hiding spots and flat surfaces to spawn. Leave the pair alone and do not disturb the nest. You may need to feed the fry baby brine shrimp once they are free swimming.
Conclusion
Yes, you can successfully keep 4 clownfish in a tank as long as you provide at least 40 gallons of space. Stick to one clownfish species and introduce tank mates cautiously. Maintain excellent water quality with stable parameters. Feed them a varied diet and give them room swim. With the right setup, you’ll enjoy their bright colors and playful antics!
