information about clown fish

[FlynnRise]

I've always been a freshwater guy, had tropical fish my whole life, but I'm thinking of taking the plunge into saltwater. I've heard clownfish can be pretty low maintenance and they're definitely eye-catching.

A 10 gallon tank - is that too small for a pair of clownfish? I was hoping to start simple with my little tank, so if that won't work for them, are there any other saltwater fish that might be a good fit?

[flintek]

A 10-gallon tank is likely on the edge, but it's not entirely too small, assuming you keep the bioload in check by limiting the number of fish and invertebrates like snails. A nano setup isn't inherently more difficult, it just requires more frequent checks and therefore a bit more discipline on the part of the aquarist.

[rusticore]

I'd personally recommend at least a 20 gallon tank for a pair of clownfish, just to be on the safe side.

[BoldVoy]

I agree with the others, 20g is a better size for clownfish. If you're set on a 10g, I'd suggest a clown goby or bicolour blenny - both are pretty interesting and don't require a lot of space.

[tiderunner]

Sharing my experience, I've got a 29g saltwater tank that's been up and running for about a year, and I'm currently stocking a new 10g nano. I've got a Royal Gramma and a Yellow watchman goby lined up for the 10g, and I'm thinking of adding a firefish goby as well. As for clownfish, I personally wouldn't put one in a 10g tank - they seem too active and need more space. My clownfish in the 29g tank is pretty energetic, and I couldn't imagine it thriving in a much smaller tank.

If you're new to saltwater tanks, I'd recommend starting with at least a 20g long if you've got the budget and space. If not, you might want to consider a couple of smaller fish and a clean-up crew.