Saltwater Aquarium Clownfish (Pomacentridae)

These are undoubtedly the most popular marine fish found in aquariums. Modest in size and brightly colored, they are active and easy to keep. Most species reproduce without any problem. These fish are recommended for beginners, who can put them in a tank with a minimum of 200 liters of water. They feed on small animal prey, both live and dead.

Clownfish or Amphiprions
These fish owe their name to their coloring. Several species are commercially available nowadays, often with their associated sea anemone, because their life is generally intertwined with this invertebrate, which offers them protection. In return, the anemones can take advantage of the clowns' leftover food, although this is not always the case, and they can also live without the company of their tenants.

Anemones also play an important role in the reproduction of Pomacentrids for, without them, they breed less often. The fish mark out a territory (around 0.25 m-) close to the anemones, lay their eggs on a support, and defend the site. The parents, which stay faithful to each other - the males are generally monogamous - can reproduce every 2-4 weeks. Clownfish, at first males, later become females, which are then bigger. Feeding them in captivity does not present any problems: they like small live and frozen prey, mussels, and chopped shrimps, and they sometimes accept commercial artificial food.

Pink Skunk Clownfish (Amphiprion Akallopisos)
Easy to keep in captivity, the pink skunk clownfish can live in small groups. It is sometimes dominated by other species. It lays its eggs close to an anemone. Size: 10 cm.

Two-Banded Clownfish (Amphiprion Bicinctus)
The two-banded clownfish is among the biggest of the genus. It is a robust species, which is sometimes aggressive towards other Amphiprions. Size: 15 cm.

Red Saddle Clownfish (Amphiprion Ephippium)
Territorial and sometimes aggressive, the red saddle clownfish lives alone or in couples. It lays eggs without any problems and can live without an anemone. Size: 15 cm.

Maroon Clownfish (Premnas Biaculeatus)
The maroon clownfish is distinguished from the Amphiprion genus by the spine on its operculum. It is quite aggressive, towards both its own species and Amphiprions.
Size: 13-15 cm.

Tomato Clownfish (Amphiprion Frenatus)
The juvenile's small white band in the middle of its sides disappears in adulthood. Highly territorial, the tomato clownfish lives in couples; it reproduces easily. Size: 15 cm.

Male Skunk Clownfish (Amphiprion Perideraion)
It is best not to keep more than one couple of this small species, without any other clownfish. The dorsal and anal fins of the male skunk clownfish display a fine orange band; the females are white or translucent. Size: 9 cm.

Ocellaris Clownfish (Amphiprion Ocellaris)
Several couples can live in the same anemone, if it is big enough. Easy to keep, the ocellaris clownfish is nevertheless fragile in its acclimatization period (1-3 months); after that, it is highly robust. It lays eggs without problems and accepts artificial food. It is sometimes confused with the true clownfish (Amphiprion percula), but its white bands are fringed with black.
Size: 11 cm.

Clark's Clownfish (Amphiprion Clarkii)
Clark's clownfish lives in couples, occupying several different anemones and straying some distance from them. It is one of the easiest to acclimatize. The male is distinguished by its yellow caudal fin (white in the female). Size: 15 cm.