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Nemo
Percula or Common Clownfish
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Due to the huge popularity of the Disney movie "Finding Nemo", the Percula Clownfish has become a hot trend. There are many pet stores and websites capitalizing on this trend by selling these fish without the proper set-ups or instructions. Our care sheet is designed to enlighten first time aquarist about the basic requirements of a clownfish and setting up a saltwater aquarium for their new friend. Clownfish are one of the easier and hardiest of most saltwater species. Clownfish are also widely available as captive bred...meaning they are not wild caught. Many of saltwater fish found in pet stores are illegally caught using cyanide squirts which are deadly to the coral reefs, fish and ecosystem. Be sure to request that your local pet store purchase legally caught or captive bred fish. For more info on destruction of coral reefs see links to articles at the bottom of this page. Please only purchase captive breed clownfish.
BE WARNED, THIS IS NOT A CHEAP HOBBY AND LOSS OF FISH IS COMMON!
Clownfish got their name because of the constant bouncing and darting as they swim. They look like they are having lots of fun! In reality they are warning off predators and protecting their turf. These fish can be aggressive towards other fish in a tank. Clownfish are mostly found in warm tropical waters. They are widely known for their use of sea anemones as a home. These two creatures live in harmony together, each benefiting from the other. Sea Anemones provide protection for the clownfish and the clownfish lure in other fish as food for the anemone.
Clownfish do not need sea anemones to survive. However, if you do provide a sea anemone, be sure to match your anemone to the species of clownfish (sea anemones are very difficult to keep and need special lighting). There are many types of clownfish and all have specific types of anemones they prefer. A clownfish is not immune to anemones... a clownfish has to constantly rubs its body up against the host anemone's tentacles to cover its body in the anemone's "smell". This way the anemone recognizes the clownfish as part of itself and does not attack.
The following care requirements are for keeping two clownfish and nothing else.
We recommend keeping clownfish in groups of two, male and female. These fish are very interesting because they can change sex....usually the dominant of the two fish will become a female and the less dominant will stay a male. The female is usually larger than the male.
Never keep them in anything smaller than a 20 gallon aquarium, however, we recommend at least a 40 gallon tank (saltwater fish require at least 10 gallons per fish). Please purchase the best filtration system you can afford....as with any saltwater aquarium, filtration is very important! pH levels should be between 8.2 and 8.6 and the temperature of the water should be between 80 and 84 degrees. When purchasing your fish, be sure they are brightly colored, show interest, have not white spots or other diseases, and have clear eyes. Ask the store to put the bag into a dark paper bag for the ride home...this reduces their stress level. When acclimating to the aquarium, place the clear bag into a darkened aquarium, turning off the lights. Leave for 15 minutes, add a little tank water to the bag making sure not add store water to your tank....wait 15 minutes. Do this procedure about 2 more times. Net your fish so as to keep store water out of your tank. Add to tank and enjoy!
For information on aquarium
set-up please use this link
Clownfish need a wide variety of food to keep healthy but are not picky eaters. Please provide brine shrimp, frozen worms, flake, and algae.
For more information on Clownfish:
http://www.centralpets.com/pages/critterpages/fish/saltwater_fish/SWF2053.shtml
Articles:
http://www.pbs.org/odyssey/voice/20010606_vfts_transcript.html
http://www.bestfish.com/tips/101598.html
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DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this website is not intended to be a substitute for Veterinary Care. If you have any questions or problems, always consult with your Veterinarian.