A saltwater aquarium journey begins

[zenith9]

Hi,

My aquarium plan is already underway - I'm thinking 3 clownfish and some sea anemone to keep them company. I might also add a crown fish, some rocks, and maybe other decorative elements that I haven't thought of yet. I've got a decent amount of space to work with, 70x60cm, so I'm hoping to create a nice little ecosystem.

I'm looking for ways to minimize manual water replacement, if that's even possible. I've been considering an automatic water filter that can handle some of the maintenance tasks for me. That way, I can enjoy my aquarium without too much hassle.

Thanks again for all your help and advice - it's much appreciated!

[coltin]

Hi,

My aquarium plan is already underway - I'm thinking 3 clownfish and some sea anemone to keep them company. I might also add a crown fish, some rocks, and maybe other decorative elements that I haven't thought of yet. I've got a decent amount of space to work with, 70x60cm, so I'm hoping to create a nice little ecosystem.

I'm looking for ways to minimize manual water replacement, if that's even possible. I've been considering an automatic water filter that can handle some of the maintenance tasks for me. That way, I can enjoy my aquarium without too much hassle.

Thanks again for all your help and advice - it's much appreciated!

I'm curious, what is a crown fish, by the way?

If you've got a lot of marine algae like Caulerpa and Halimeda growing in the tank or in a connected sump, and you add mineflakes regularly, you can actually reduce the need for water changes. In fact, you might not even need to do them at all. However, you'll still need to keep an eye on calcium and other nutrients in the water. If they get out of balance, you'll need to do water changes. Most people do them once a month or more often, depending on the setup.

[Beastie]

I recall reading that it's best to opt for captive-bred clownfish or buy from a reputable seller with proper certification. Apparently, many clownfish on the market are sourced from the wild through unsustainable methods, further threatening their populations already vulnerable to climate change and increased demand after the movie. I'm not sure if this info is still current, but I thought it was worth sharing.

[zenith9]

A crown fish, from my understanding, is a showstopper - the one that catches your eye in an aquarium. It's that one special fish that adds a touch of elegance, making the entire setup even more breathtaking.

Regarding the clownfish, I was thinking, what if I had 1 male with 2 females? Would that still lead to dominance issues? I just can't help but feel that having three of them would make for a stunning display.

[rockyfox]

I think we need to prioritize the fish's needs over how the tank looks, even if it's hard to resist the urge to create a visually stunning setup. I'm no expert on saltwater tanks, but from what I've read, clownfish seem to have similar territorial behavior to peacock gudgeons. It's usually the males that get aggressive, but females also have a sense of territory. To give you better advice, can you tell me the exact dimensions of your tank, including the height? That'll help us figure out how many clownfish you can safely keep. I'd personally recommend sticking to two, but if others with more experience think three is doable, I'd be willing to consider it. I genuinely think three could work, but I'm just a newbie to saltwater setups, so take my opinion for what it's worth.

[zenith9]

I truly appreciate everyone's input here, and I must say, I'm really starting to feel at home in this forum - it's heartwarming to know I've got support from fellow animal lovers like yourselves. As someone who genuinely cares about the well-being of my future aquatic friends, I'm more than happy to take your advice on board and do what's best for them.

[rockyfox]

No problem at all. I truly appreciate your honesty, and I must say, it's great to know that you're looking out for me, making sure I get the best advice possible. I completely understand where you're coming from, and I'm grateful for your willingness to help, even if it's just in a small way. It really warms my heart to see people like you, who genuinely care about others and the well-being of animals, especially in a community like this.

[coltin]

I was thinking of having 1 male clownfish with 2 females, but I'm not sure if that would work out. I've heard that anemone fish can be quite particular about their social structure.

In an anemone fish group, the female is actually the dominant one, and she's in charge of the anemone. The next most dominant fish becomes her male partner, and the rest remain juveniles. If one of the dominant pair is removed, the others move up the pecking order. For example, if the female dies, the male turns into a female and takes over the anemone, while the most dominant juvenile turns into a male and becomes the new partner.

It's quite fascinating, really. The fish can change sex in just a couple of weeks. If you have a pair of anemone fish, it's best to keep them together at all times. If you separate them for more than 24 hours, the males and juveniles will start to turn into females, and they might fight when you put them back together.

When buying anemone fish, it's best to get a bonded pair or two small fish and put them in the tank at the same time. Have one fish slightly bigger than the other, and the bigger one will turn into a female, while the other becomes a male.

As for a crown fish, it might not work in a small tank with anemone fish. The anemone and its fish will probably become the centerpiece of the tank. However, you could add some shrimp, snails, and maybe a small species of dottyback (Royal Gramma) to add more variety. Just be sure to monitor them when they start breeding.

The two species I mentioned earlier, Amphiprion ocellaris and A. percula, are the smallest and most peaceful anemone fish. You could probably get away with a small dottyback and shrimp with them. But if you have two tanks connected, with one as a show tank and the other as a sump/refugium, that would give you more water and a more stable environment for the fish. It would also give you a place to put other fish if they get attacked when the anemone fish breed.