Clownfish are one of the most recognisable fish in the aquarium world. With their bright orange colouring, distinctive white stripes and bundles of personality, they’re a firm favourite with marine fishkeepers. However, their popularity can be an issue for those who like the look of the fish but don’t have the expertise to care for it.
While clownfish are relatively hardy compared with many other marine species, that doesn’t mean you can add one to any aquarium and expect it to thrive. Like all fish, clownfish need the right environment, good-quality food and stable water conditions to stay happy and healthy. That’s why, before you carry on reading, we’d like to clarify that we don’t recommend total beginners keep clownfish. If you’re new to fishkeeping, you should consider a starter pet like goldfish - and we have a guide on keeping goldfish too, to help you get started.
If you have fishkeeping experience and this is your first marine tank, this guide covers everything you need to know, from tank size and water requirements to feeding and choosing suitable tank mates.
Are clownfish good for beginners?
You’ll often see clownfish described as one of the best fish for beginners, and this is true for beginners to marine tanks, but not for total beginners (freshwater tanks are best in this case!). Clownfish are generally hardy, adaptable and relatively straightforward to care for compared with many other marine fish. However, they are saltwater fish, and we wouldn’t recommend a marine aquarium as a first-ever fish tank.
Marine setups have particular equipment and water condition requirements that make them more demanding than freshwater aquariums. If you’re completely new to fishkeeping, we’d recommend building up your experience with a tropical or coldwater aquarium first. Once you’re comfortable with cycling a tank, maintaining water quality, carrying out water changes and looking after your fish, you’ll be in a much better position to take on a marine setup.
For an experienced fishkeeper who is new to marine aquariums, clownfish are a great starter fish!
What do clownfish need in a tank?
Before bringing your new aquatic friends home, it’s important to get the aquarium properly prepared. For clownfish, your set-up should include:
- A suitably sized marine aquarium for the amount of fish you want to keep
- A filtration system
- A marine aquarium heater
- A thermometer
- Marine salt
- A way of measuring salinity, such as a refractometer
- Marine aquarium lighting
- Rocks and hiding places
- High-quality marine fish food
- Aquarium test kits
With all of these components in mind, the aquarium needs to be fully cycled and established before adding your clownfish.
This is an essential step because cycling the tank gives beneficial bacteria time to establish themselves in your filtration system. These bacteria help break down fish waste, converting harmful ammonia into nitrite and then nitrate. Ammonia and nitrite should be at zero before fish are introduced.
If you’re setting up your first marine aquarium, don’t be tempted to rush this part. Giving your tank time to mature is one of the best things you can do for the clownfish you’ll introduce.
What size tank do clownfish need?
One of the biggest questions people ask when setting up a clownfish tank is how much space their fish actually need.
For common species such as Ocellaris and Percula clownfish (think Nemo), we’d recommend a tank of at least 70 litres for a long-term setup, particularly if you’re keeping a pair. If you intend on keeping any more clownfish or other species in your set-up, you’ll need a bigger tank.
Generally speaking, bigger is better when it comes to aquariums. A larger volume of water is more stable and gives you a little more room for error, while also providing your fish with more space to explore, giving you the option to introduce new species later on as you get more experienced.
Some species of clownfish, such as Maroon, Tomato and Clarkii clownfish, can grow quite large and may be more territorial. So, if you’re planning to keep one of these species, you’ll need to go beyond the minimum space requirements for the more common types like Ocellaris clownfish.
What water conditions do clownfish need?
Clownfish are saltwater fish, so maintaining stable marine water conditions is essential. The exact water requirements may change depending on the species of the fish in your tank, but if you plan on only keeping Ocellaris clownfish, your water parameters might look like this:
- Temperature between 23-27°C
- pH between 8.0 - 8.4
- Salinity 1.020 - 1.026 specific gravity
- Nitrite and ammonia at 0ppm
- Nitrate below 20ppm
Regular testing will be key to maintaining comfortable levels. You don’t always need to strive for the perfect number, as sudden changes and rapid overcorrections can be stressful for your fish. Instead, if you spot any potential problems during testing, you can make gradual changes to steadily get the parameters into the correct ranges.
Do clownfish need an anemone or other corals?
Lots of people associate clownfish with corals, partly because of the Finding Nemo films, and partly because in the wild, clownfish famously live alongside sea anemones due to a special relationship that means clownfish gain protection from the anemone.
The good news is, this isn’t a necessary relationship in tanks. Your clownfish will be happy enough without an anemone, as long as they have plenty of suitable hiding spaces.
How many clownfish can you keep in a tank?
The safest answer is that keeping a pair of clownfish is usually the best option for a home aquarium. Clownfish can become surprisingly territorial, so it’s not recommended to have more than two in one tank. Because some species are more aggressive than others, we also wouldn’t suggest mixing clownfish species.
Ocellaris clownfish are generally one of the more peaceful species, making them a popular choice. However, adding multiple clownfish to the same aquarium can still result in fighting and bullying, particularly if there isn’t enough space.
When introducing a pair, choosing appropriately sized juvenile fish can help them establish their relationship as they mature and help prevent fighting.
With all this in mind, that doesn’t mean you are restricted to just two fish in total, as clownfish can live with other species too.
Choosing clownfish tank mates
There are plenty of potential tankmates and, depending on the size and setup of your aquarium, potential companions can include peaceful species such as:
- Damselfish
- Tangs
- Wrasses
- Gobies
- Blennies
- Dartfish
- Angelfish
When picking tankmates, you need to ensure that the other fish aren’t large enough to eat your clownfish; compatibility needs to be carefully thought out!
The important thing is to research each species individually. Just because two fish are both considered “
” species doesn't automatically mean they’ll get along in every aquarium.
What do clownfish eat?
Thankfully, feeding clownfish is one of the easier things to do when caring for them. Clownfish are omnivores, and a varied diet will help provide them with the nutrients they need to stay healthy and maintain their vibrant colours.
Suitable foods can include:
- Marine fish flakes - we recommend the Vitalis Platinum Marine Flakes
- Marine pellets such as the Ocean Nutrition Formula 2 Pellet
- Frozen food such as brine shrimp
How often should you feed clownfish?
Young clownfish may benefit from being fed small amounts several times throughout the day, while adult clownfish can generally be fed once or twice daily.
Setting up your first clownfish tank
If you've got your heart set on a pair of clownfish, the most important thing is not to rush. Let’s just summarise all of the information above to make sure you know what to do, and what to expect.
Start by choosing an appropriately sized aquarium and setting it up with reliable filtration, heating, circulation and marine equipment. Get your water parameters where they need to be, allow the aquarium to cycle fully, and make sure you're confident with testing and maintaining the water before adding any fish.
Once everything is ready, introduce your clownfish carefully and give them time to settle in.
It can be tempting to fill a new aquarium with lots of colourful fish straight away, but taking things slowly gives your biological filtration time to keep up with the additional waste produced by each new addition and gives you the opportunity to learn and adapt to how your aquarium behaves and what you need to do.
Ready to dive into marine fishkeeping?
Remember: marine fishkeeping isn’t the best option for total beginners, but if you’re past that stage and are ready to take on a new challenge, then here at Aquacadabra we have everything you need to get you started on your marine fishkeeping journey.
The key is preparation. Take your time doing your research, setting up your tank, and learn how to maintain your water quality. If you're unsure about what you need, don't be afraid to ask; our friendly team is here to offer practical advice and answer any queries. All you need to do is contact us.
If you're ready to start planning your marine aquarium, Aquacadabra has everything you need to help you get set up. Browse our full range of marine care supplies to find what you need.