Hello all. I'm starting out in the Marine world (my tank and equipment are on order) and am doing some research into the sort of fishes I'd like to keep. I'd like a pair of Yellow Banded Maroon Clowns and wondered if anybody has a view on them as a "newbies" fish? Some articles I have read suggest that they can be quite aggressive. Any help / opinions would be appreciated.
Most people on these boards are going to want to know about your tank, and your future plans before making stock reccomendations. So please let us all know what your setup will be(tank size, lights, protein skimmer?), and what your plans are? Fish only, Fish only with live rock, reef? What other fish or invertebrates interest you?
With clowns you need to make sure you either get an already matched pair, or two young fish of the same size, if you get two females you will have big problems,
Basically all clownfish start off as a blank sheet and, with the most dominant fish eventually becoming the female and the next best one the male, if the female dies, the male becomes female and the next best huvanile becomes the male
if a clownfish is left on its own for a period of time it will too become female
females are about 20% bigger than males of the same size. I
Clowns are a pretty good 'first fish' IMHO, they're tough and lots of fun. Maroons get pretty big (larger than other commonly sold clownfish species) and can be little terrors. My baby maroon beat the living daylights out of a smaller maroon in the store, but in my tank he's an absolute wimp so far (the yellow clown goby pushes him around) and I've seen some tanks with very laid back maroons; just like people they have personalities and there's no guarantee as to how they're going to behave in your tank. Definitely do some research on these guys, and I'd recommend if you're going to keep other fish that you add the maroon(s) last.
I have a pair of maroon clowns, I love them. I bought two females going on 2 years ago now, when I didn't know the size/sex idea. Anyway I returned one the next day cuz they fought then I bought a small one a week later... I was lucky that they only fought for a day and they took to eachother. The female could easily kill the male at any given time. Mine eat flake and frozen food. Pretty easy to take care of, make sure you dont get nitrates or nitries cuz they are pron to disease like brooklynella and that could stimulate it.
hi
i have two maroon clowns ones a male and the other is a female they are very peaceful and are great fish to have in your tank. i also reccommed that you get them an anemone
I have two maroon and gold clowns my self.I bought them only a month or so ago and they were so tiny you would miss them in the tank.They are still small but have grown alot and you can see them now there stripe is still white but will turn as they get older.They are very sweet but they have there own ends of the tank.I don't know why but from day one the went to opposite ends and meet only to eat.The maroons have always been my favorite of the clowns
I have just one Maroon and Gold clown. She can get pretty annoyed when other fish (or my hand) gets to close to the Xenia that she's hosting but they're great fish and I'd recommend one for a beginner.
I wouldn't recommend an anemone until your tank is well established (about 12 months) I'm going to get one but I'm waiting at least 6 months as i recently upgraded my tank and part of it is new - althought the majority of it is 3 yrs old. Anemones need pristine water conditions.
