How long clown fish

The most common problems to wild clownfish are predators and shortage of food. Not all of the clownfish will have the same lifespan. Something that will definitely prolong its life. Some things are only in your power. A good diet will improve your clownfish overall health. And with that, its life expectancy, as well. Make sure that you feed your clowns well, and on a frequent basis. We have a separate article on that subject. Feel free to check it out. Everything is covered in depth.

Genetics play a big role in the overall health of the fish, too. Nowadays, there are a lot of new designer varieties entering the saltwater aquarium hobby. However, most of these claims are just assumptions. One of the most common reasons why clownfish live only for a couple of years in captivity is poor tank conditions.

Inappropriate tank size is also an issue worth mentioning. Smaller tanks are often harder to maintain resulting in poor living conditions for your fish. If you are interested to learn more on this subject check out these articles. Many of the hobbyists keep clowns that are 10, 15, even 20 years old. They are well studied because of their fascinating relationship with certain species of Anemone. A combination of being resistant to the toxins and the production of mucus that prevents the Anemones from stinging them, allows them to live together.

Clownfish have long bodies and a dip in their dorsal fin that makes it appear as if they have two fins and not one. The False Percula has 11 spines on their dorsal fins, compared to the True Percula which has 10 spines.

These species will grow to around 4 inches but are typically smaller. This makes them an excellent size for smaller aquariums or beginner tanks. They have three white stripes: one behind the gills, one in the center of the body, and one at the bottom of the caudal fin. The central stripe protrudes to create a more triangular shape pointing towards the head. Their stripes and fins often have a black outline which brings some real flare to them and makes their movements more enchanting.

The False Percula will have thinner or no black outlines, which makes them bright in contrast to darker aquariums. It is very easy for them to be over-powered by strong filters. True Perculas are most commonly orange, but natural black varieties can also be found.

Some rare color morphs have also been bred to create varieties such as platinum which is almost completely white. Clownfish live in the warm parts of the Pacific and Indian Ocean in coral reefs , or in shallow lagoons near Australia and Southeast Asia. Due to their symbiosis with Anemones, they are rarely found lower than 40 foot and are not found in shallow waters due to the increased temperature and decreased salinity.

They are weak swimmers, so will stick to Anemones that are protected from the current by corals or rocks. The water near reefs has few nutrients which makes it clear. This takes time and is difficult to replicate in the home aquarium — but it is possible! Anemones are harder to keep than Clownfish, so if you are trying to pair the two your tank must be designed around the Anemones first. Anemones will need at least a 50 gallon tank , so cannot be kept in the smaller tanks that a Clownfish can.

A thermometer will need to be used daily to make sure that the water is kept at a constant. The aquarium must have a pH between 7. This convenient pH also allows for pairing with many other species. Clownfish need a specific gravity that is between 1. Fluctuations in water quality can be reduced by keeping a larger volume of water either in the tank or in a sump.

There should be a good layout for the tank which provides both aesthetic pleasure as well as practical protection for them from the water flow. This can be done using rocks or live rocks, or fake reef inserts. They can be kept in sediment free tanks for ease of cleaning, but some tank mates may need substrate so it is best to plan inhabitants well in advance of putting them in the tank. Clownfish need at least a gallon tank, so they have enough room to both hide and explore. You will need a larger tank if you want to keep an Anemone too.

In the wild, Clownfish are found living among many other reef fish. They can live in small tanks as well as large communities, showing how adaptable they are. It is very common to pair them with Anemones, but a pairing is not guaranteed and they can survive in captivity without this symbiotic relationship. If it is achieved however, it can be an amazing interaction to witness and to show off. What they may not know is that the heroes of Finding Nemo are actually called false anemonefish.

True anemonefish, Amphiprion percula , are nearly identical, but have subtle differences in shape and live in different habitats. Bright orange with three distinctive white bars, clown anemonefish are among the most recognizable of all reef-dwellers.

They reach about 4. Clownfish perform an elaborate dance with an anemone before taking up residence, gently touching its tentacles with different parts of their bodies until they are acclimated to their host.

A layer of mucus on the clownfish's skin makes it immune to the fish-eating anemone's lethal sting. In exchange for safety from predators and food scraps, the clownfish drives off intruders and preens its host, removing parasites.

There are at least 30 known species of clownfish, most of which live in the shallow waters of the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, and the western Pacific. They are not found in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, or Atlantic Ocean.

Surprisingly, all clownfish are born male. They have the ability to switch their sex, but will do so only to become the dominant female of a group. The change is irreversible.

All rights reserved. Common Name: Clownfish. Scientific Name: Amphiprioninae. Type: Fish.