My daughter wants a clownfish I need help!
- Thread starter tnbfleet
- Start date
rykna
Active Member
Originally Posted by tnbfleet
everyone I talk to acts like owning a saltwater fish is rocket science. Please tell me this is a easy task. All I want is like 2 fish in a small tank. What kind of work will this be.
Well....first off have you ever kept fish?
Saltwater isn't rocket science, but it involves more money and a little more time.
Ask away....
Clowns are tons of fun, and a good beginner fish
everyone I talk to acts like owning a saltwater fish is rocket science. Please tell me this is a easy task. All I want is like 2 fish in a small tank. What kind of work will this be.
Well....first off have you ever kept fish?
Saltwater isn't rocket science, but it involves more money and a little more time.
Ask away....
Clowns are tons of fun, and a good beginner fish
n_jones
Member
You might want to check out this post...... it's a sticky at the top of this forum.... Has all the info you need to get started....
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/264597/a-list-of-extremely-helpful-threads-for-all-hobbyists
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/264597/a-list-of-extremely-helpful-threads-for-all-hobbyists
rykna
Active Member
Originally Posted by tnbfleet
So I know nothing about it. What do you do daily or weekly to care for the fish?
You need to do the research. I've had fish since I was 7, I'm 32 now and going into my 4th year of salt water.
Ocellaris Clownfish - Tank-Bred
(Amphiprion ocellaris)
Click here for a larger image
Ocellaris Clownfish - Tank-Bred
Quick Stats
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.020-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4; dKH 8-12
Max. Size In Aquarium: Up to 3½"
Color Form: Orange, White
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Tank Bred - Asia, Tank Bred - USA, Tank Bred, England
Family: Pomacentridae
Tank Bred: Yes
The Tank-Bred Ocellaris Clownfish, also known as the False Percula Clownfish, It can attain a length of 3.2" (8 cm). This fish is sometimes sold as the Percula Clown, even though it is not. The color pattern is very similar, but it is not as bright orange. Tank raised Ocellaris are usually a great deal lighter in coloration and are often missing one or more stripes or have non-symmetrical stripes on the sides of their bodies, making them unusual and appealing to most hobbyists. The coloration of these fish will darken to a nice solid orange with age.
Tank bred clownfish are very hardy and durable fish making them a perfect addition for the novice or seasoned aquarist. The Ocellaris Clownfish is a good candidate for a reef aquarium. If introduced to the aquarium at the same time, many varieties of tank bred clowns can be maintained together in the aquarium.
This clownfish is an aggressive eater. It will take most meaty foods and frozen herbivore preparations.
So I know nothing about it. What do you do daily or weekly to care for the fish?
You need to do the research. I've had fish since I was 7, I'm 32 now and going into my 4th year of salt water.
Ocellaris Clownfish - Tank-Bred
(Amphiprion ocellaris)
Click here for a larger image
Ocellaris Clownfish - Tank-Bred
Quick Stats
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.020-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4; dKH 8-12
Max. Size In Aquarium: Up to 3½"
Color Form: Orange, White
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Tank Bred - Asia, Tank Bred - USA, Tank Bred, England
Family: Pomacentridae
Tank Bred: Yes
The Tank-Bred Ocellaris Clownfish, also known as the False Percula Clownfish, It can attain a length of 3.2" (8 cm). This fish is sometimes sold as the Percula Clown, even though it is not. The color pattern is very similar, but it is not as bright orange. Tank raised Ocellaris are usually a great deal lighter in coloration and are often missing one or more stripes or have non-symmetrical stripes on the sides of their bodies, making them unusual and appealing to most hobbyists. The coloration of these fish will darken to a nice solid orange with age.
Tank bred clownfish are very hardy and durable fish making them a perfect addition for the novice or seasoned aquarist. The Ocellaris Clownfish is a good candidate for a reef aquarium. If introduced to the aquarium at the same time, many varieties of tank bred clowns can be maintained together in the aquarium.
This clownfish is an aggressive eater. It will take most meaty foods and frozen herbivore preparations.
rykna
Active Member
Originally Posted by N_Jones
You might want to check out this post...... it's a sticky at the top of this forum.... Has all the info you need to get started....
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/264597/a-list-of-extremely-helpful-threads-for-all-hobbyists
You might want to check out this post...... it's a sticky at the top of this forum.... Has all the info you need to get started....
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/264597/a-list-of-extremely-helpful-threads-for-all-hobbyists
rykna
Active Member
Originally Posted by mopar9012
Its very easy, just listen to what everyone tells you on this board and not your LFS.
What do you got? What size tank and do you have any test kits?
I second and third this. With all the so called saltwater specialists in the twin cites, I have dropped all but one LFS. Please get feed back from the board before making purchases. If I had done so I would have saved myself hundreds of dollars.
Its very easy, just listen to what everyone tells you on this board and not your LFS.
What do you got? What size tank and do you have any test kits?
I second and third this. With all the so called saltwater specialists in the twin cites, I have dropped all but one LFS. Please get feed back from the board before making purchases. If I had done so I would have saved myself hundreds of dollars.
n_jones
Member
Originally Posted by tnbfleet
everyone I talk to acts like owning a saltwater fish is rocket science. Please tell me this is a easy task. All I want is like 2 fish in a small tank. What kind of work will this be.
It's not rocket science but it does take a lot of time and patience..... SW fish are more sensitive to their environment than freshwater and a mistake could cost alot of money.
everyone I talk to acts like owning a saltwater fish is rocket science. Please tell me this is a easy task. All I want is like 2 fish in a small tank. What kind of work will this be.
It's not rocket science but it does take a lot of time and patience..... SW fish are more sensitive to their environment than freshwater and a mistake could cost alot of money.
1journeyman
Active Member
Originally Posted by Rykna
Cycling takes 2-4 months... with out cycling your tank is doomed.
That's an awful long cycle. Most tanks I've seen, if done properly (without letting ammonia sit above 1.0), will cycle in 4 weeks or so. With quality live rock less.
Cycling takes 2-4 months... with out cycling your tank is doomed.
That's an awful long cycle. Most tanks I've seen, if done properly (without letting ammonia sit above 1.0), will cycle in 4 weeks or so. With quality live rock less.
aquaguy24
Active Member
i have never kept fish before and knew nothin about sw tanks untill three months ago when i started my 24g aquapod..i have two clowns in there and very happy..my small clown just completly recovered from being nipped at by my larger clown so its doing great...are u sure its not you that wants a tank with clowns in it.
..j.k. sw tanks fun for the whole family..
karenm
Member
How old is your daughter? First of all, fishkeeping is extremely addictive. You'll start out with 2 small clowns and end up a couple of years down the road with a 120 gal reef. 
)
It's also very time consuming to set up a SW tank. I've heard that the maintenance slows down as the tank ages, but I'm only about 2 months into it. SW is different than FW. With FW you set it up, decorate it, and that's pretty much it. With SW, you're adding live rock and your clean-up crew, testing the water, doing water changes, and forever seeing that one last fish/critter you'd like to have. Then you have to research what will get along with what, what special needs it might have (I just now found out that my scooter blenny needs pods to eat!), etc. And every improvement you make, your tank gets that much more beautiful!
It would be a good idea to put some serious thought into how long your daughter is going to want that clownfish, how much help she'll be in taking care of it, and how much time and money you're willing to invest in it. Do YOU want a clownfish (because we all know we end up taking care of the pets we get for our kids)?
As far as a hobby for either your daughter or yourself, I think it's an excellent one. I've raised everything from horses to gerbils to fish, and there are few things more rewarding than keeping another living thing both healthy and happy.
)It's also very time consuming to set up a SW tank. I've heard that the maintenance slows down as the tank ages, but I'm only about 2 months into it. SW is different than FW. With FW you set it up, decorate it, and that's pretty much it. With SW, you're adding live rock and your clean-up crew, testing the water, doing water changes, and forever seeing that one last fish/critter you'd like to have. Then you have to research what will get along with what, what special needs it might have (I just now found out that my scooter blenny needs pods to eat!), etc. And every improvement you make, your tank gets that much more beautiful!
It would be a good idea to put some serious thought into how long your daughter is going to want that clownfish, how much help she'll be in taking care of it, and how much time and money you're willing to invest in it. Do YOU want a clownfish (because we all know we end up taking care of the pets we get for our kids)?
As far as a hobby for either your daughter or yourself, I think it's an excellent one. I've raised everything from horses to gerbils to fish, and there are few things more rewarding than keeping another living thing both healthy and happy.
nigerbang
Active Member
Originally Posted by 1journeyman
That's an awful long cycle. Most tanks I've seen, if done properly (without letting ammonia sit above 1.0), will cycle in 4 weeks or so. With quality live rock less.
Thats what I was thinking......4 months....Call Guiness for the world record cycle..
That's an awful long cycle. Most tanks I've seen, if done properly (without letting ammonia sit above 1.0), will cycle in 4 weeks or so. With quality live rock less.
Thats what I was thinking......4 months....Call Guiness for the world record cycle..