Help me choose a clownfish, everyone!

[fishfanatic2]

I just lost a tomato clown to Brooklynella, and I am ready to try again as soon as I am sure it is safe. I really liked my tomato, but I also like Gold Maroons, wha'd ya think? The tank they are in will soon be upgrade to a reef, and one that is not too picky about anemones would be nice (although most will host in a bubble tip, right?) Thanks for your suggestions!

 

[Joey French]

gold bar maroon!

 

[kparton]

I had a pair of true percs in my tank before I broke it down and sold everything. They had used my BTA as a host, although it's not one that they naturally host in in the wild. The Maroon naturally hosts in tha BTA, so if that's what you have, then it would give you the best chance of hosting there.

I also am considering a yellow stripe maroon in my new setup. I think they are beautiful, but they are also suposed to be quite aggressive. I'm definitely going to wait to introduce until later.

 

[Anonymous]

another natural to the BTA is the Clarki.

mine has taken to this darker color like the one in this pic since it took a host.

 

[Anonymous]

Clarkii and Maroons are both cool but are pugnacious. If you are looking for low key then ocellaris , skunk or percula might be a better bet.

 

[Anonymous]

Clarkii and Maroons are both cool but are pugnacious. If you are looking for low key then ocellaris , skunk or percula might be a better bet.

:lol: by fluke my perc ended up in the same tank as my clarkii (travelled in a rock crevice) and he spanked my clarkii daily. woudn't let him come out from under a rock. this was before an anemone addition though.

i didn't know that was odd.

 

[Anonymous]

There's quite a few clowns that naturally host in BTAs. My maroons were incredibly aggressive. I really like the small size and peacefulness of perc or ocellaris.

 

[fishfanatic2]

Anyone think I should do the tomato again?

 

[klingsa]

Well, tomatoes are certainly natural BTA lovers. There's nothing wrong with them, if you are ok with a more aggressive fish. They rank up there with the maroons, pretty territorial and mean as females. But, they are beautiful. I agree with others before me...if agressiveness is ok, go with maroon or tomato. If not, go with ocellaris, percula or skunks. None are natural hosts in BTA's, but doesn't mean they won't in the tank. Although, no promises! I have three ocellaris, a LT anemone, and a BTA, and the fish are loners it seems. Hope they host soon!!! This picture is misleading. But cute! :lol: :lol:

Good luck!

Sara

 

[Anonymous]

my oc hosts in my bta just fine in fact he has grown and seemed to be alot more happier since the addition of the bta

 

[DustinDorton]

Skunks, especially the oranges will host in bubbles. They are generally very passive.

 

[Ocyurus]

I would have to say tomato, I know of their aggressive nature but I have had two (Cherry and Tom) in my tank for over a year and a half and never had a single problem. Plus they are purdy.

 

[Anonymous]

then i say tomahto!

 

[Anonymous]

I like tomatos and clarkes....they seem to adapt better than other clowns. And they accept more hosts than other clowns.

 

[AUEagleinDC]

If you LOVED your tomato, get another one. However, if you didn't go for something new! My personal favorites:

1) Ocellaris (or perc)

2) Maroon (gold or white)

3) Clark's

Good luck and enjoy your new clown...

chris

 

[Expos Forever]

The best way to avoid the Brooklynella parasite and all other parasites is to buy captive raised clowns. They are also generally hardier, ship better, and are of a known age. IMO there is are very few good excuses for buying a wild caught clownfish today knowing the alternative exists. Many anemones are eaten in the wild because they are deprived of the protection from their clownfish due to collection for the hobby.

According to ORA's website they are presently captive raising the following species:

CLOWNFISH SPECIES LIST
False Percula Clownfish - Amphiprion ocellaris
Clark's Clownfish - Amphiprion clarkii
Tomato Clownfish - Amphiprion frenatus
Gold-Stripe Maroon Clownfish - Premnas biaculeatus
Cinnamon Clownfish - Amphiprion melanopus
Fire Clownfish - Amphiprion ephippium
Australian Clownfish - Amphiprion rubrocinctus
Orange Skunk Clownfish - Amphiprion sandaracinos
Pink Skunk Clownfish - Amphiprion periderion
Saddleback Clownfish - Amphiprion polymnus

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.orafarm.com/

Dustin is the quoted information still accurate (up to date)?

Another interesting clownfish link:

http://biodiversity.uno.edu/ebooks/intro.html

 

[DustinDorton]

That list is pretty accurate. You could add bicinctus, nigripes, and akindynos. We are working on a few others.

You should really consider the skunks, you wont be able to find any pinks right now, but the oranges look awesome in reef tanks. They are real passive and wont bother anything, or dig any holes.

 

[Anonymous]

Pink skunks aren't available? Any idea when they will be?

 

[DustinDorton]

Our pink skunks (perideraion) stopped spawning a couple years ago. In the interim we had the other pink skunk (akallopisos) which is not quite as nice. The nicer pink skunks are spawning again now and should be available soon. Skunks grow pretty slow though.

There may be some other farms producing them, TMC maybe, who knows. I would stick to the tank raised ones, wild caught skunks are a pita.

 

[Anonymous]

Dustin,

I am interested in starting a species tank with a pair of Amphiprion ephippiumand several BTA's.

I can find only scant information on Amphiprion ephippium. From what I read their care and behavior should be similar to typical tomato clowns and they can reach 5.5" in length. Any links you can point me to about the fish, or any information you can share? I have never actually seen the fish, just read a bit about them. Would a pair be happy alone in a 50-70 gallon tank?

Also I see that Amphiprion ephippium is listed on the ORA website. Is there stock available for my LFS to purchase for me?

Thanks in advance,
Lee