How to care for clownfish
The clownfish is the species that became globally famous through the movie Finding Nemo. With its rust-red scales and white stripes with black outlines, it is the ideal choice for those looking to build a saltwater aquarium. Check it out now!
Clownfish: where does it live?
The clownfish can be found in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, where the waters are warm and shallow. Among other things, it lives in symbiosis with sea anemones, venomous invertebrates, similar to plants.
This good coexistence with sea anemones can be explained for two reasons. While the fish helps clean and remove parasites from the animal, it also provides the fish with a safe place to hide from predators.
Although poisonous, sea anemones do not pose a threat to one of the world’s most famous fish. The clownfish has a special mucus around its scales that protects the animal from the poison.
What does the clownfish eat?
In its natural habitat, the clownfish’s diet is limited to sea anemone tentacles, small crustaceans, larvae, and algae parasites. In captivity, aquarium owners can feed them saltwater fish every four hours.
Additionally, if the mentor wants to please the little ones, another option is fish cakes. However, it is advisable to seek the guidance of a professional veterinarian before adding it to the fish’s diet.
How do Nemo fish reproduce?
Reproduction in Nemo fish is very strange, as there is no contact between males and females of this species. First, the female deposits her eggs near the sea anemone for the male to fertilize.
One week after fertilization, new clownfish grow from the eggs. Strangest of all is that they are all born male and transform into females if the species requires it, a process known as congenitology.
What is the size of a clownfish?
Clownfish are small and can grow up to 11 cm in length. In this fish, females are slightly larger than males, which helps aquarium owners identify them.
How to keep a clownfish at home?
Anyone who loves fishing and wants to raise a clownfish at home needs a series of care. The first question is the size of the aquarium; it must have a minimum capacity of 75 liters of water.
Second, the decoration of the environment depends on sea anemones and corals. If that is not possible, an option is to decorate the aquarium with gravel and some hollow ornaments that allow the fish to hide.
Care for Aquarium Water
Knowing how to care for the clownfish requires a suitable aquarium and decoration; it’s time to love the water. Ideally, salinity should always be 30%. To do this, it is recommended to purchase specific products to dilute with water. Never use table salt; it is very harmful to animals.
To ensure a comfortable environment for the clownfish, the pH should be between 8.1 and 8.4. It is also important to maintain the water temperature between 25°C and 28°C with a suitable thermostat.
To complete the necessary care for captive fish, it is recommended to invest in a water filtration system, lighting, and pumps to oxygenate the environment.
Aquarium Maintenance
As important as setting up your aquarium correctly is regular maintenance. Renew a quarter of the water every two weeks to provide the best environment for your pet.
Clownfish Life
With all the necessary care, the clownfish can live an average of six years. However, if you notice that the white stripes are changing color, consult a veterinarian, as this may indicate some type of disease in the fish.
Clownfish: sharing the environment
The clownfish is a peaceful species that can coexist well with other types of marine animals. However, if you want to include other fish in your aquarium, choose fish of the same species or with the same behavioral characteristics.
It is worth noting that the introduction of new animals into the same environment as pets should be done gradually. That’s right, between adding one animal and another, wait a month for the clownfish to get used to the company.
Now that you know how to care for clownfish, just buy or adopt one and start taking care of this unique and peculiar pet. Enjoy the tips.
