| As far as marine ornamental clownfish are concerned, | | | | wild, an anemone is not needed in captivity. They will |
| most people know them as small, colorful and cute. | | | | do just fine without one. |
| And then they learn about the maroon clownfish. Its | | | | Despite the fact that most maroon clownfish are |
| scientific name is Premnas Biaculeatus and they hail | | | | sold when they are small, they really do need larger |
| from throughout the waters of South East Asia and | | | | aquariums to accommodate their final size. When |
| some parts of Australia. They are also known as the | | | | talking of their final size i must mention that it is the |
| spine-cheek clown fish as they are the only clowns | | | | females that will attain 6 inches, not the males. So if |
| to have a protruding spine on their cheeks. | | | | you are housing a pair, you will need an aquarium no |
| While they are indeed very pretty when they are | | | | less than a 50 gallon tank. |
| young and small, they become large and aggressive | | | | Maroon clownfish have been bred in captivity and |
| when fully matured. Fully grown female maroon | | | | given a choice, one should always choose a tank |
| clownfish can attain a length of 7 inches, making the | | | | raised specimen over a wild caught fish. This makes |
| maroon clownfish the largest member in the family. | | | | tank rearing sustainable and eases the strains of |
| They are also pretty aggressive and will defend their | | | | constant collection from our seas. |
| territory from almost anything that attempts to | | | | Feeding them is a very simple task as they will |
| breach its borders. A fully mature pair will not stand | | | | eventually accept almost anything offered. Frozen or |
| for any fish large or small entering its territory. They | | | | dry food, they will take them all. It is important to |
| are highly aggressive towards other members of the | | | | get them on a good and balanced pellet food as well |
| family including damselfish and other clownfish. | | | | as mixing in some frozen foods like mysis shrimp. |
| They usually cost somewhat more than the common | | | | Overall, the maroon clownfish is a very hardy addition |
| ocellaris clownfish do. Despite the fact that they | | | | to the aquarium. But they may get too big and |
| share a symbiotic relationship with anemones in the | | | | aggressive for some. |