Welcome to the channel. In today's video, we will be taking a look at the Tomato Clownfish
The Clownfish has become the standard-bearer for the aquarium hobby
and especially for the marine or saltwater side of things. Over time, many different species of
Clownfish have been introduced into the hobby. The Tomato Clownfish happens to be one of the
most eye-catching versions of the Clownfish. Is it the right fish for you though? Let us find out.
Natural Habitat The Tomato Clownfish or Amphiprion frenatus
is an adorable fish that is primarily native to the tropical waters of the Western Pacific Ocean.
They can also be found in other parts of the Pacific where the conditions are favorable.
This usually means the warm waters of tropical reefs. Their favorite spot to hang out is among
the bubble tip anemone and adhesive anemone. Like most Clownfish though, most of the
Tomato Clownfish available in the hobby are captive-bred these days and are quite readily
available at great prices. Physical Description
The Tomato Clownfish can sometimes be referred to as the Red Clownfish or Bridled Clownfish.
They have the classic Clownfish ovoid shape. As juveniles, they resemble a common clownfish
with their orange coloration and three vertical stripes. However, as they grow older, they develop
their own look. The second and third stripes disappear and they develop a deeper and more
brilliant red coloration. This can develop in a slightly brownish color in the dominant female.
They can grow to a maximum size of 5 inches or 13 cm which is on the larger side for Clownfish.
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Okay, back to it. Ideal Tank Setup
Clownfish in general and the Tomato Clownfish, in particular,
are among the hardiest saltwater fish in the hobby. As such, they aren't very demanding
and there is some leeway when it comes to the tank setup. However,
as always there is a right way of doing things. Start with a decent-sized tank. While a pair of
these fish can be kept in a 20-gallon tank, we would recommend at least a 30-gallon tank. The
fish will love it and you will have to worry less about sudden changes in the water parameters.
A big question with regards to the setup is whether you should get the bubble-tip Anemone?
While your fish will love it and it is cool to see how they interact with the anemone,
it is crucial to remember that the anemone is a lot more difficult to care for.
Go for the anemone only if you are able to cope with its demanding nature.
If you feel that it is not worth the hassle then it isn't a big deal as Tomato Clownfish
do just fine without an anemone. Apart from that, set up the tank any
way you want. Just leave plenty of open spaces and make sure to install high-quality equipment.
Water Parameters These fish can live for up
to a decade and some for even 15 years in some cases with proper care and for that, you need
to be aware of the ideal water parameters. Keeping the water conditions as stable as possible
and within these ideal values will ensure that you get to enjoy the company of your Tomato Clownfish
for many years to come. The ideal water parameters
for the Tomato Clownfish are as follows Temperature: 72°F to 80°F or 22°C to 27°C
pH: 8.0 to 8.4 Specific gravity: 1.020 to 1.024
As you can see that the different parameters have a wider range than most saltwater fish.
They are quite hardy and this makes them one of the most beginner-friendly marine fish.
Diet Their undemanding nature extends
to their diet as well. This is one of those fish that you will very rarely have trouble feeding.
They will readily accept almost anything as long as it can fit in their mouths.
Live food, frozen food, dried food, flakes, and pellets are all fair game. The challenge is often
to feed them a balanced diet without overfeeding them. Offer them a healthy mix of meaty and
plant-based food. Remove anything that is uneaten after a minute. Feed them twice a day.
Behavior And Tank Mates The Tomato Clownfish has some interesting
behavioral traits. It is not docile by any means but it isn't a complete lunatic either. It is a
bit more aggressive than many other Clownfish. As long as you choose the right tank mates,
you can have a pretty harmonious community tank for yourself. The fish to avoid are anything large
and/or aggressive. Also, avoid other Clownfish as most of them can breed with the Tomato
Clownfish and you do not want that. Some great options for tankmates for these fish include
Damselfish Pygmy Angelfish
Basslets Yellow Tangs
Dartfish Wrasses
Blood Red Fire Shrimp Make sure that the tank is
adequately large enough to house all these additional fish if you are looking to set up
a community tank. Breeding
Like all other Clownfish, getting these fish to breed isn't difficult at all.
The easiest way is to get a breeding pair in a breeding tank. However, if that is not possible
then get a few juveniles. They will eventually form a hierarchy. Then comes the coolest part. All
juveniles are males but as they mature, the most dominant member which is usually also the largest
will change its gender and becomes a female. If that female is removed then the next most
dominant member will become the female. Once the eggs are laid, it is advisable to
remove the adults and cover the sides of the aquarium to create a dark and safe environment.
The eggs will hatch into larvae which will then undergo metamorphosis on the tenth day
into baby Clownfish. They can be fed freshly hatched brine shrimp throughout this period.
Diseases The Tomato Clownfish
is very hardy and will stay disease-free as long as the water conditions are good. However, if you
give them a reason to be stressed such as poor water conditions or an improper diet then they
can suffer from ailments such as marine ich, hole in the head, dropsy, and velvet to name a few.
To Sum It Up! If you are taking your first steps into
the world of saltwater aquariums or are looking for the least hassle-free marine setup then the
Tomato Clownfish is ideal for you. Despite it being beginner-friendly, it is extremely pretty
and has quite the personality. It is a fish that is readily available and often at great prices.
So, keeping these fish is a win-win situation whichever way you look at it
I hope you enjoyed this video. Be sure to tap that like button and don't forget to subscribe
if you haven't already done so. I will see you in the next video.