Clown Fish

[Underwurlde]

Saw a mate of a mates newly set up tank, as of present, no stocking.

He had a 2nd hand filter a 5ft long tank with a huuuuuge lump of moipani in it.

So I asked
Q) 'Freshwater setup then?'
A) 'Yep'

Q) 'Is the filter new'
A) 'Nope, second hand, but almost brand new'

Q) 'Cycled?'
A) 'Like I said, it's almost brand new'

Me:

Q) 'Erm, OK, what fish you gunna put in?'
A) 'Clown Fish'

Me:

Q) 'Erm, they're marine no?, Not f/w?'
A) 'Both actually, you can get some that live in the Amazon river that are actually f/w'

Me:
My Brasilian mate:

SOOOO, Question to the Forum: I know Clown fish are marine, but can you get freshwater varieties?

TIA,

Andy

 

[SkiFletch]

Clownfish in the Amazon? Excluding the fact that Clownfish do not range anywhere within a thousand miles of the amazon river (thus making their presence there nearly impossible), clownfish cannot tolerate freshwater for long periods of time. Their kidneys will cause them to take in too much water and explode basically... While it is true that some fish spend part of their life cycle (usually babies and adolescents) in freshwater and it is also true that some fish (like bullsharks) can tolerate freshwater rivers for a long period of time (some being seen near St. Louis Missouri), Clownfish, are NOT the exception to the rule. Freshwater dips may be used to treat clownfish for parasite diseases, but within 1-3 weeks a clownfish will most likely die in a freshwater tank. Tell your friend to lay off the drugs and/or horrible advice he's been getting and not put clownfish in freshwater, please

 

[sacramonel]

The term Clown fish is a generic name. We typically know it as the S/W fish we all seem to have in our tanks. I'm sure your Brazilian friend has a F/W fish that is called a clown fish but is in no way associated with the S/W variety.

 

[n3ont3tra]

Maybe he meant clown loaches... they are freshwater and look a little similar to clown fish... a little.

 

[eschaton]

Edit: n3ont3tra beat me to it

 

[Underwurlde]

He definately said Clown FISH. (BTW, another mate who was with me was the Brasilian, not the 'mate of a mate').

But I see now & am willing to bet my shirt he meant LOACHes - well spotted that guy (or striped as the case may be).

(Why the hell didn't I think of Loaches - common enough.....

BUT I WILL ASK HIM AGAIN.

He was a nice enough guy and had stated that he had kept fish before (all f/w) and had kept 'Clowns' before, but I do remember making an obvious reference to Nemo which should have prompted him to correct me. Anyway it was one of those cagey sort of conversations where you don't want to admit any ignorance - I'm sure we've all had those in the past...

Thanks again,

Andy

 

[Lynden]

Except for that Clown Loaches do not occur in the New World. They can, however, be both brackish water and fresh water...

 

[blabadie]

Isn't there a clown knife fish? Maybe he meant this?

 

[Betta5]

yeah, they get over 3 foot (bout 100cm) so the 5 foot tank will be way to small.