Maroon clownfish
Premnas biaculeatus · Pomacentridae
Also known as Spine-cheeked clownfish
Intermediate
The big, bolshy clown — a female can bully a whole small tank, so give it room.
In short: A maroon clownfish needs at least 210 L (55 US gal), water at 24–27 °C (75–81 °F) and pH 8.1–8.4. It is semi-aggressive, kept in pairs or more, and rated intermediate to keep.
Updated
- Minimum tank
- 210 L (55 US gal)
- Temperature
- 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 17 cm (6.7 in)
- Group size
- 2+
Reef & marine husbandry
- Specific gravity
- 1.023–1.026
- Reef safety
- Reef safe
- With corals
- Reef safe, though a large female may harass corals near its host.
- With inverts
- Safe with most inverts; may nip small shrimp.
- Minimum in a mixed reef
- 210 L (55 US gal)
- Minimum fish-only (FOWLR)
- 210 L (55 US gal)
- Aggression
- Females get genuinely aggressive with age.
- Feeding
- Once or twice daily.
Care requirements
- Minimum tank volume
- 210 L (55 US gal)
- Temperature
- 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Hardness
- 8–12 dGH
- Lifespan
- 8–20 years
- Diet
- Omnivore — pellets, frozen mysis, krill for adults.
- Care level
- Intermediate
Origin & habitat
- Native region
- Indo-West Pacific including the Andamans
- Water type
- Saltwater
- Biotope
- Reef slopes with bubble-tip anemones
- Natural conditions
- Warm reef water, moderate flow.
Behaviour & stocking
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- Minimum group
- 2 fish
- Swims
- All levels
- Good tank mates
- TangsLarger wrassesFoxface
- Avoid
- Other clownfishSmall timid gobiesFirefish
Breeding & difficulty
- Breeding difficulty
- Intermediate
- Sexing
- Female is far larger and darker; male stays small and bright.
- Notes
- Pairs spawn on rock beside the host anemone.
- Common ailments
- Marine ichBrooklynella
Will it fit your tank?
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