Clownfish are some of the most popular and beloved fish in the marine aquarium hobby. Their bright colors, playful personalities, and symbiotic relationship with certain corals and anemones make them a joy to keep. But what is the best coral for clownfish? Read on as we explore the top choices.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Bubble coral, torch coral, toadstool leather coral, and xenia coral are some of the best options for clownfish.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll discuss the following:
An Overview of Clownfish and Coral
Natural Habitat and Behavior
Clownfish, also known as anemonefish, are native to the warm, tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans. They form symbiotic relationships with sea anemones, residing in the tentacles where they are protected from predators. In the wild, clownfish live in small groups in anemone colonies.
A distinct hierarchy exists, with one dominant female, one dominant male, and several smaller non-breeding males. Clownfish are brightly colored, with bold orange, white, and black bands. This vivid coloration serves as a warning to predators that the clownfish and their anemone homes are dangerous.
Corals are tiny marine invertebrates that live in colonies called reefs. Warm, shallow ocean waters provide the ideal environment for coral growth and reef formation. Corals have a mutually beneficial relationship with microscopic algae called zooxanthellae that live within their tissues.
Through photosynthesis, the algae produce nutrients that the coral uses for energy. In return, the coral provides protection for the algae. This symbiotic relationship allows coral reefs to thrive in nutrient-poor tropical waters.
Benefits of Keeping Clownfish with Coral
In an aquarium setting, pairing clownfish with live coral replicates their natural habitat. Clownfish actively seek out anemones for shelter and will host the same anemone for life. Large polyp stony corals (LPS) like bubble coral provide excellent hosts for clownfish.
The bubbles offer many nooks for the clownfish to hide. Keeping clownfish with their anemone host helps reduce stress and promotes natural behaviors like nest building.
The mutually beneficial relationship also continues in captivity. The clownfish’s waste provides essential nutrients for the coral’s growth and health. And the coral provides safety, security, and food in the form of small invertebrates living within its tentacles.
A thriving coral reef tank offers mental stimulation and enrichment for clownfish.
When introducing new fish, some aggressive behavior may occur as they establish dominance. But clownfish coexist well with most docile, non-aggressive fish once the hierarchy is settled. Some compatible tankmates include blennies, banggai cardinals, chromis, and assessors.
Avoid housing clownfish with large or predatory fish that may see them as food.
The Best Corals for Clownfish
Bubble Coral
Bubble coral, also known as Plerogyra sinuosa, is one of the most popular choices for keeping clownfish. These corals have bulbous polyps that resemble bubbles, giving them a very unique look. Bubble coral provides excellent shelter for clownfish with its nooks and crannies.
Its slow and gentle movement is perfect for these little fish. Clownfish enjoy darting in and out of the bubbles and nestling inside them. This coral thrives under bright lighting and requires moderate water flow. Bubble coral is relatively hardy but demands pristine water conditions.
Feed them amino acid supplements or coral foods for the best health.
Torch Coral
Torch corals, or Euphyllia species, are some of the most dazzling LPS (Large Polyp Stony) corals around. Their tentacles sway gracefully in the current, resembling small torches. Their neon oral discs come in mesmerizing shades like radioactive green, electric orange, and brilliant purple.
Clownfish adore the sheltered overhangs along the base of torch corals. These fish often perch or hide underneath the oral discs. While stunning, torch corals can be aggressive and sting/kill other corals or fish. Be sure to give them ample space away from other corals.
They need strong lighting combined with moderate flow. Target feed them meaty items for the greatest color and expansion.
Toadstool Leather Coral
Toadstool leather corals, or Sarcophyton species, make fantastic homes for clownfish. Their wide, flattened top looks just like a giant mushroom cap. Underneath, they form sheltered tunnels and caves where clownfish love to hang out.
These corals sway gently in the current, providing constant water movement without being too turbulent. They come in lovely earthy hues like tan, brown, and olive green. Toadstools are relatively easy to care for, requiring moderate lighting and water flow.
However, they can be prone to rapidly spreading if conditions are ideal. Prune off any excessive growth to prevent them from overtaking the tank.
Xenia Coral
Xenia corals belong to the group Xeniidae and are absolute favorites of clownfish. Their pulsating polyps give them a distinctive look and mesmerizing motion. This also provides constant water circulation that clownfish appreciate.
Xenias come in neon shades like purple, pink, yellow, and green that really pop under blue LED lighting. Their whip-like tentacles provide shelter while still leaving open spaces for swimming. The peaceful xeniids get along with most tank mates and are relatively hardy as long as they have sufficient light.
They can be fed in moderation, but mainly subsist on photosynthesis. Regular pruning keeps them from taking over the tank.
Setting Up the Right Saltwater Aquarium Environment
Tank Size
Clownfish need a minimum tank size of 30 gallons, but bigger is always better to dilute waste and provide more room. A 40-50 gallon tank is ideal for a small group of clownfish with plenty of live rock and corals. Make sure to leave ample swimming room since clownfish are active swimmers.
Large tanks over 100 gallons allow space for more fish while maintaining water quality.
Water Parameters
Maintaining proper water conditions is crucial for clownfish health. The ideal parameters are:
- Temperature: 74°F – 80°F
- pH: 8.1 – 8.4
- Alkalinity: 3 – 4 dKh (8 – 11 dH)
- Calcium: 400 – 450 ppm
- Salinity: 1.023 – 1.025 SG
Use a refractometer, thermometer, and test kits to monitor levels. Stability is key – fluctuations stress fish. Partial water changes of 10-15% weekly help replenish minerals and dilute nitrates.
Lighting
Proper aquarium lighting nourishes coral growth while showcasing clownfish coloration. The best options are:
- LED lighting – energy-efficient, long-lasting, fully adjustable
- T5 high-output fluorescent bulbs – bright, simulate natural light
- Metal halides – intense light for coral growth
Provide 8-12 hours of light daily. Mix and match combinations to balance illumination levels. Use timers to ensure consistency.
Filtration and Circulation
Adequate filtration and water flow are imperative in saltwater tanks. Use an external canister filter sized for at least 4x total water volume turnover per hour. Powerheads and wavemakers supplement overall circulation.
Protein skimmers efficiently remove waste organic compounds. Air stones oxygenate water. Install 1-2 heaters to maintain tropical temperatures. Utilize multiple filtration systems for optimal water quality.
Caring for Clownfish and Coral
Feeding
Proper nutrition is crucial for keeping clownfish and coral healthy in a shared tank. Clownfish are omnivores and should be fed a varied diet including meaty foods like mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and quality flakes/pellets, along with some plant matter and algae.
Feed them 2-3 small meals per day and remove any uneaten food to avoid water quality issues. Target feed clownfish directly using a pipette or turkey baster so the food doesn’t get filtered out by the coral.
For the coral, target feed photosynthetic corals like LPS and SPS species by hand 2-3 times per week with coral-specific foods containing phytoplankton, marine snow, microplankton, etc. This will provide essential nutrients the coral needs. Avoid overfeeding as excess food can pollute the tank.
Always siphon away any accumulated debris from coral feeding sessions.
Tank Maintenance and Cleaning
Frequent partial water changes are imperative for a clownfish/coral tank. Change 10-15% of the water weekly and siphon the substrate to remove waste. Test nitrogen levels regularly and keep ammonia and nitrites at 0ppm. Nitrates should be <20ppm. Use RO/DI water for water changes and top-offs.
Keep pH between 8.1-8.4, alkalinity 7-12 dKH, calcium 420-450ppm, and magnesium around 1350ppm for optimal coral health.
Clean protein skimmers regularly to remove gunk. Every 4-6 months, change filter media and deep clean the tank by siphoning all substrates. Wipe algae off glass and decor. Never use harsh cleaners – a soft cloth and lukewarm water is ideal for tank cleaning.
Avoid over-handling coral during cleanings as it can stress them.
Acclimating New Additions
Slowly acclimate all new clownfish and coral to prevent shock. Float bags for 30 minutes to equalize temperatures. For clownfish, add small amounts of tank water to the bag over 30-60 minutes. Then net the clownfish out and release into the tank.
For coral, use the dropdown method by adding small amounts of tank water to the bag over a few hours before adding the coral.
Quarantine new clownfish and coral for 2-4 weeks before adding to the main tank. This allows time to monitor for any signs of disease and prevent introduction of pathogens. Acclimate quarantined creatures to display tank as above when ready to join the main community.
Watching for Signs of Stress and Disease
Monitor clownfish and coral closely for any abnormal signs which could indicate stress, illness, or poor water quality. Changes in coral polyp extension, discoloration, sloughing tissue or skeletal growth indicate problems.
For clownfish, look for labored breathing, loss of appetite, frayed fins, white spots or cottony growths. Test water parameters immediately if any distress is observed.
Remove and treat sick fish in a separate QT tank. Use copper-free ich medications if white spots appear. For bacterial infections, use antibiotic foods. Increase water changes and reduce feeding during treatment.
If coral becomes diseased, improve tank conditions and use reef-safe medications as needed. Both fish and coral illnesses can spread quickly in closed systems, so isolation and treatment is key.
Conclusion
Clownfish make a beautiful addition to coral reef tanks when paired with the right corals. By choosing corals like bubble coral, torch coral, toadstool leather coral, and xenia coral, you can provide the ideal habitat for your clownfish.
With the proper tank setup and care, your clownfish and coral will thrive together for years to come.
