7 Reasons Why Clownfish Are Great Fish for Beginners

Are clownfish good fish for beginners? Are they hardy and easy to keep? If you wonder about any of these questions, you are not alone.

Many of us had these questions when we first started the hobby. They are not unreasonable. The saltwater aquarium hobby is intimidating, especially for people transitioning from the freshwater world.

I’ve kept freshwater tanks for many years before venturing into the saltwater world. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to keep saltwater fish to save my life.

However, after I did the research and listened to the advice from the more experienced hobbyist, I realized that keeping clownfish is not that hard.

Almost a year had passed since I bought my pair of clownfish. They are alive, happy, and healthy as they can be. They are excellent beginner saltwater fish for every novice reefer.

These are my personal reasons why clownfish are great fish for beginners, but I am sure many will agree with me.

Without furder ado, let’s get started!

See Also: How to set up a clownfish tank

Clownfish are hardy fish

Clownfish are very hardy fish making them an ideal saltwater fish for beginners. What is a hardy fish, you might ask?

A hardy fish is a fish that can adapt to a wide range of tank conditions. It should not be affected by a minor fluctuation in water parameters. 

A hardy fish will accept different types of foods and won’t be shy and hide when you are in front of the aquarium.

The clownfish have all of these traits.

See Also: How Old Do Clownfish Have To Be To Breed

They don’t need a large tank

You will often hear the advice that you should start with a large tank when starting this hobby. Its easier to maintain stable water parameters.

While this is entirely true, starting with a large tank from the very start is not an option for most of us. I started with a 20-gallon tank, and I couldn’t be happier.

The good thing about clownfish is that they don’t require large tanks. You can keep them in 20-gallon tanks without a problem. 

However, I wouldn’t recommend anything lower than that. While many people had success keeping clownfish in smaller tanks, it is not ideal for a beginner.

See Also: What is the best anemone for clownfish

Clownfish have an intriguing personality

One of the most fun aspects of keeping clownfish is their goofy personality. It is always fun watching them goofing around the tank.

When I first got my clownfish, I often noticed that they swim vertically, lay on the sand, or just stay in the corner.

You don’t need to worry if you see this behavior. It is just part of the clownfish character.

They have a relatively long lifespan

Did you know that clownfish can live 20 years in captivity? I’ve recently read a post on Instagram of a guy who had a clownfish for 29 years. 

Pretty incredible for a fish. Of course, not all clownfish will live that long, but you can expect to have a pet fish that will live at least 10 to 15 years.

They won’t break the bank

Clownfish are relatively inexpensive fish and won’t break your bank. The clownfish has been bred in captivity for many years, causing its price to fall. You can buy Ocellaris clownfish for as little as 20 bucks.

Of course, there are a lot of expensive designer varieties, but in general, clownfish are inexpensive compared to other saltwater fish.

See Also: What is the best temperature for clownfish

There are different types of clownfish

There are so many different types of clownfish you can choose from. You don’t need to buy the regular Ocellaris clownfish everyone has.

But before you buy a different type of clownfish, make sure to do the research. Not every clownfish has the exact requirement.

Clownfish are compatible with many other fish

The great thing about the clownfish is its compatibility with most saltwater fish. You can create a community tank with a lot of different saltwater fish.

Keep in mind that if you keep your clownfish in a nano tank, you are limited on the number of fish you can keep there.

Final Thoughts

If you are on the verge of buying a clownfish, and only the fear stops you, do it. Clownfish are excellent fish for beginners. You won’t regret it.

As you can see, there are many reasons why clownfish are so popular among reefers. It is often the first fish they buy.

Those were my reasons why clownfish are so great fish. Now, I’d like to hear yours. Let me know in the comment section below.