New To Marine - Thinking Clownfish...

[Terri_84]

Hi all,

Are clown fish suitable for people new to marine set ups?

We have had a 40 gallon tropical tank for around 2 years now and I just love the look of marine tanks so much so we have started thinking more seriously about switching over. I've bought a few books but I find alot of info I read / hear is contradicting. V confusing!

How many clown fish should we introduce to a tank? (Obviously once ready), taking in mind it's 40 gallons. Which tank mates are they best with? (We are also considering a reef set up so would need to be compatible).

Wasn't sure if this was the best place to post?! Basically I know I want clown fish so thought it the best place to start!!

Thanks
Terri

 

[simonas]

40gallon would be a great size

I went through same thoughts in feb/march and now I have a reef tank with 2 clownfish!

Its expensive to set up, if you keep marine fish you really should keep coralsas they look so good

Lighting needs to be good enough for corals. live rock will act as filter , RO salt water to fill up. You;ll need a powerhead or 2 for flow, test kits , coral sand etc

once you;ve spent on the outlay then let it set up slowly unlike me and you can have clownfish and other fish as well in a tank that size

read the journals and ask loads of questions. if you look at my questions they received answers to educate a marine newbie

 

[Morri]

Clownfish are an ok starter fish if you get a good pair there are easier fish to keep to start with but most people want a pair of clowns I would look at either Skunks or Wild Percs

 

[ben1987]

once you get clowns settled, they are bullet proof within the right params, completely nuts too

 

[Morri]

Yip once they are settled they are good just seen a few issues recently with the TMC tank breds forgot to say the Black & Whites seem solid atm as well

Been offered a pair of platinums recently but really not to my test

 

[Terri_84]

Thanks, useful stuff! Will have a read of the journals too..

We are starting to sell off what's in the tank at the moment, as soon as that's done we will get the coral sand, RO water, protein skimmer and then the live rock. We've been quoted about £100 for the live rock - does this sound about right for the tanks size?

I was also hoping to eventually get some common clownfish, are they just as easy? The pink skunk clowns look lovely too...

Can't wait to get started, though we are definitely in no rush, needs to be spread over a good few pay days to minimize the hole in my wallet!

 

[Morri]

Hehe the trick to picking fish in the shop is to get the shop to feed them whilst you are there make sure they eat then reserve them for a week then go back a week later then check they feed again clowns are generaly perky.

It might be a good idea to look out for second hand LR but 100 pounds seems cheap as you need roughly 20Kg LFS price normally 12 per Kg

 

[sorgan]

For LR try to find a reefer who's breaking a tank down, you may get a bargain.
Ah I see your just down the road from me, of your a driver my LFS is selling good LR for £9 a kilo. It's called tropical paradise and is in eastliegh, family run affair and they have a massive stock of everything you could possibly imagine. Well I don't think they sell rabbi.

 

[steelhealr]

When you buy the two clowns, make sure you try and buy them togeter and at small sizes. Avoid introducing one...then another later as this might lead to aggression. SH

 

[Terri_84]

Thanks Sorgan, that's not far from us we may go have a look on the weekend.

2 small fish, same tank - got it. What tank buddies are good for them? (in a 40g tank), I love tangs (is it obvious i'm a Disney fan?!) but from the looks of it our tank is too small.

Thanks!

 

[sorgan]

Tanks to small for tangs, some dwarf angel species would be good (if you mix species go for ones that are totally different colours to avoid aggression) blennys, gobys, basslets, wrass.

Untold mixtures of fish are possible and just because they say it's reef safe/ not reef safe doesn't always mean that's a fact. Fish have their own ideas about being reef safe/aggressive/dietry needs etc.

The best bet is to research the hell out of any potential buy.

 

[seffieuk]

Cool, a new convert to the salty side

Seffie x

 

[Equilibrium]

If any of you are looking for a nice fish I have a 5 Inch (Odonus Niger) Triggerfish (Reefsafe). He eats like a pig and his a very interesting char its just I like Puffers more and wanna get a Porky Puffer so mr Trigger has to go. He would be a great starter fish in a 40 Gallon tank aslong as theres plenty of hiding places. I can do a deal on him let me know np

 

[injektion]

way to hijack a thread lol. there is a marine classified section for people to post what they have for sale. plus, 40 gallons is pushing the limits for a 5" trigger that is going to grow even more.

to the salty side!

and like sorgan said, research research research!!