Are you thinking of adding a clownfish to your aquarium, but not sure what size tank they need? Look no further! The beloved orange clownfish, made famous by the animated movie Finding Nemo, have captured the hearts of many and become a popular pet choice.
But before you add one to your tank, it’s important to know that even though clownfish are small, they still require ample space to swim and thrive. According to experts, a minimum of a 30-gallon tank is needed for two clownfish and an additional 10-gallon tank is required for each additional clownfish.
Are you curious to know more about how to provide the best living conditions for your clownfish? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know to keep your clownfish happy and healthy.
Clownfish Minimum Tank Size
Clownfish might be small, but they are known for being very active throughout their lives. They don’t stay in one place for long. Besides, they love to explore and love hiding places.
So when it comes to keeping or breeding them, the tank size becomes the biggest concern for an aquarist. Because if you don’t provide them with the right tank size, it can lead to various problems.
The minimum size of the tank for a clownfish depends largely on the type of fish. While some people do keep a clownfish in a 20-gallon tank, a Maroon clownfish must be kept in a 30-gallon tank.
You may hear from various pet fish owners or read on forums that people are keeping them in much smaller tanks. But it comes with a lot of careful observation of the fish and practice, which is something beginners will fail to do. And just because you CAN do that, it does not mean you SHOULD. It is not the right way to keep clownfish in a tank.
Keeping these fish in smaller tanks than required will not only make the fish depressed, but it can also easily make the fish sick and the tank environment unhealthy. Not to mention the amount of time you have to clean them because smaller tanks require frequent cleaning to ensure a safer environment.
Do Clownfish Need A Big Tank?
As you might have read in the previous section, there is confusion regarding whether you should go for a big tank or start with smaller ones. Because when it is your first time keeping a fish or a new kind of fish, it is natural to make mistakes. So what is the safe way?
Here are two options:
- You start with a smaller tank, which will be challenging to maintain if you are inexperienced, and the fish might even die.
- You can go for a big fish tank which will leave more room for the fish and your mistakes, whether you are a beginner or experienced.
So my suggestion would be to go with a larger fish tank. It will help you understand the clownfish’s lifestyle and food habits and learn its routine easily. Besides, larger tanks mean less maintenance hassle because you don’t have to change the water frequently. Just clean the water from time to time, and you will be good to go, and there is a lesser risk of your clownfish getting sick or dying.
How Many Clownfish In A Tank?
Now comes another important question, how many clownfish can you keep in a tank? It is necessary to know this information when getting a tank because of the clownfish’s nature. While they are tiny, clownfish can get pretty aggressive sometimes.
That is why it is best to keep them in pairs if you want to keep more than one clownfish. But can you keep more?
Some people do add multiple clownfish in their fish tank. You can keep 3 or 4 of them together in a larger tank. But do expect things to go a little crazy if you do this, especially during mating or breeding seasons.
During mating season, clownfish find their mating pair. So if there are one or more fish left in the tank, they will begin to bully the others. And often, it can lead to violent behaviors. So is there a way to prevent it?
Well, it takes time and practice to understand the clownfish’s behavior to learn how to handle the situation. Nevertheless, if you plan on keeping more than one clownfish in your fish tank, choosing pairs from the same clownfish species is best.
| Tank Size (Gallons) | Number of Clownfish |
| 10 | Not recommended |
| 20 | 1 |
| 30 | 2 |
| 40 | 3-4 (not recommended) |
| 55 | 2 |
| 75 | 6-7 (not recommended) |
How Many Clownfish In A 10 Gallon Tank?
A 10-gallon tank is not an ideal tank size for a clownfish. It is small and will not be able to provide the fish with a suitable and healthy environment. So even if you plan to keep a single clownfish, it is still not enough.
And not just that. Using a small tank like that means it will get dirty quickly, and you have to clean it almost every day. Besides, if you intend to keep the clownfish in such a small tank, it is likely to die faster.
While a 10-gallon tank is not ideal for keeping clownfish in captivity, it can work if you plan to keep the fish there only temporarily. Other than that, it is not suggested to keep a clownfish in such a small tank for a long time.
How Many Clownfish In A 20 Gallon Tank?
A 20-gallon clownfish is pretty ideal for keeping one clownfish. Some may say it is large enough for 2, but I don’t agree. While most experts believe the ideal tank size for a clownfish is 30-gallon, it is not wise to keep 2 of them in such a tank.
And keeping more than one fish in a 20-gallon tank means more waste to clean up. Besides, it can lead to other environmental and health issues. So if you plan on keeping 2 clownfish, your best option is to go for a larger tank size.
However, as I mentioned before, you can certainly keep a clownfish in a 20-gallon tank. But if you keep more, that can only be for a smaller duration.
How Many Clownfish In A 30 Gallon Tank?
30-gallon fish tanks are not exactly small. This is why this size is ideal for keeping and breeding clownfish in captivity. But the question is, how many clownfish can live well in such a tank size?
A single clownfish will thrive in a 30-gallon tank with so many areas to explore. And if you create a healthy aquascape, the fish will play, hide and live happily there. Moreover, you can keep at least 2 clownfish in a 30-gallon tank.
It will not overcrowd the tank environment. And it would be best if you kept the clownfish in pairs so that one won’t end up bullying another.
How Many Clownfish In A 40 Gallon Tank?
Judging by the fact that you can keep at least 2 clownfish in a 30-gallon fish tank, a 40-gallon tank can easily accommodate 3 large or 4 small clownfish. But will that be a good idea to keep several clownfish together?
I don’t think so. As you have already learned, clownfish are often aggressive toward each other. And the mating season is the worst as the male and female mates begin to bully other fish in the tank.
So you can either keep more than 2 clownfish and deal with their crazy behaviors every day or keep only 2. I would suggest going for the latter unless you don’t mind seeing fish fight often or handling their mess.
How Many Clownfish In A 55 Gallon Tank?
You can easily accommodate at least 4 clownfish in a 55-gallon fish tank. But as you know already, keeping several clownfish is a bad idea, even if you have a larger fish tank. But there are several other reasons why you should not do it.
First of all, a 55-gallon tank requires a comparatively larger space. Secondly, you will have to keep your eyes on multiple fish if you have them, and that can be pretty tiring.
And most importantly, a larger tank means so many parts and tank accessories to maintain, making the whole thing a hassle. But if you want to get a 55-gallon tank for your clownfish, having only 2 clownfish is ideal.
How Many Clownfish In A 75 Gallon Tank?
A 75-gallon fish tank will let you accommodate as many as 6-7 clownfish. But you already know by now that is the last thing you want to do unless you want a mess of waste and dead fish in your tank.
So it is better to house only 2 clownfish, 1 female and 1 large male. A big tank like this will help the pair thrive if you provide them with everything they need for survival. Besides, choosing a larger tank also lowers the number of times you need to clean the tank, as it will not get dirty too often.
Can A Clownfish Live In A 5-Gallon Tank?
There are lots of tank fish that can do very well, live and survive in a 5-gallon tank. But we cannot say that when it comes to clownfish. As a clownfish requires a 20-30 gallon tank, a 5-gallon tank is way too small for it.
The fish will not survive if you keep it in a 5-gallon tank. You can only keep it there for some time if the fish require emergency but temporary transportation. So what can you do if you can have a pet fish but only in a 5-gallon tank?
Well, in that case, my suggestion would be to look for other options. Instead of a clownfish, you can look for other types of fishes that can live and survive in a smaller tank.
Can A Clownfish Live In A 1-Gallon Tank?
The answer to this question comes out as a big NO! There is no way you can keep a clownfish in a 1-gallon tank. Even a 5-gallon tank is too small for keeping a clownfish. That means a 1-gallon tank is something you shouldn’t even try.
If you keep a clownfish in such a tiny tank, it will not get enough area to move, which can lead to anxiety and depression. The water will feel to get enough flow or circulation, and this will result in a toxic tank environment. As a result, the fish will get sick too soon and eventually die.
How Big Of A Tank For Two Clownfish?
Clownfish look nice and harmless. Well, they are because they won’t bite humans. But when it comes to territorial behavior, these tiny saltwater fish can become very aggressive. It can also happen when clownfish do not get to live in an environment where they can swim around freely and cannot keep their distance from other tank mates.
So when it comes to choosing the right tank size for clownfish, the best thing to do is to consider a larger tank, especially if you plan to keep 2 clownfish. But how large?
For a single clownfish, a 20-gallon fish tank is a minimum size. And for each addition of clownfish, you must increase another 10-gallon. Now it is easy to do the math.
And according to experts, a 30-40 gallon tank is the minimum size for keeping 1 or 2 clownfish. So if you choose a 50-55 gallon tank or larger, it will be the perfect size for keeping a pair of clownfish in a healthier environment.
Let Me Summarize All That Information for you
- For a single clownfish, a tank size of at least 30 gallons is recommended.
- For a mated pair of clownfish, a tank size of at least 50 gallons is recommended.
- If keeping multiple clownfish, it’s recommended to have at least 75 gallons of tank space per pair of clownfish.
- It’s best to avoid keeping more than one pair of clownfish in the same tank, as they may become territorial and aggressive towards each other.
- A larger tank size is always better, as it provides more swimming space and better water quality for the fish.
Can Different Clownfish Live Together?
Here comes a conflict that many newbie fish owners wonder: can you keep separate species of the same type of fish together? The same question also comes when someone gets or wants to get a clownfish.
While you may keep different species of fish of the same class, some are different. And the clownfish, with their peculiar characteristics, belong to the latter.
You can keep more than one clownfish together, but they need to be of the same species. For example, if you already have an Ocellaris in your tank, you might have to consider getting another of the same species. You should not get a maroon clownfish or tomato clownfish, or any other.
Knowing how clownfish act in different tankmates, it is safe to keep them in pairs, but they need to be of the same species. Moreover, if you keep 2 clownfish of one type and one from another, the fish from similar species can bully the different ones and can even turn against each other.
So if you keep different clownfish together, there is a big chance that they will only end up injuring or killing one another. That is why it is not recommended to keep different clownfish in a tank together.
How Many Clownfish Can Live Together?
Sometimes, when you keep a single clownfish in a tank, you can feel lonely. That is why fish owners often add more clownfish to keep them happy. But does that really work? How many clownfish can you keep together in a tank?
You can keep two clownfish together, which is the best way to keep them together without losing your mind. Adding one or two more clownfish does not seem like a bad idea. But sometimes, it is best to skip this step.
Clownfish live happily and better in pairs. Adding more can make things worse, especially during mating seasons. When the mating pair choose the partner, the duo begin to haunt the other tank mates.
While clownfish are often seen to live in a group of 3-5 in the wild, that is an unlikely thing to happen when they are in captivity. So it is safer to keep the number to 2 only.
Read Next: How long can clownfish live?
What Clownfish Can Be Kept Together?
You know the answer to this question well by now. But let’s make it clear again. Because when it comes to clownfish, which are not exactly the friendliest all the time, it is best to make sure you have all the information needed.
Though you can keep 2-3 clownfish together in a tank, they must belong to the same clownfish species. However, even keeping 3 clownfish of the same species can lead to problems sometimes.
So you must keep either a single clownfish or a pair. But they must belong to the same species.
Can Clownfish Live Alone?
Yes, clownfish can live alone. Since clownfish are notorious for their aggressive and territorial behavior, many fish tank owners prefer keeping and raising just one fish. But that is not the only reason.
Some people choose to keep a single clownfish because they own a small tank that can accommodate only one fish. Others choose this because maintaining one clownfish is comparatively easier because you have less fish and tank waste to clean and fewer fish fights to deal with.
Do Clownfish Need To Be In Pairs?
While some people do choose to keep a single clownfish as a pet, others are strongly against the idea or do not like keeping one fish only. So they choose to keep them in pairs.
According to some clownfish owners, keeping a clownfish, or any living thing, without a pair, is cruel. Some strongly believe that keeping the fish alone for a long time makes it feel lonely and depressed.
As a result, you will notice that most clownfish owners choose to keep them in pairs. So while it is not essential, you can certainly do that if you think you need to. However, make sure your fish tank is large enough to accommodate the pair and will offer a healthy environment.
Final Verdict
Whether you are a Finding Nemo fan or just want to have clownfish in your fish tank, it is essential to know all about them. But what size tank do clownfish need?
You can keep a single clownfish in a 20-30 gallon tank. A pair of clownfish can live in a minimum of 30-gallon fish tanks. However, the larger the tank you offer, the better it will be for them.
And while it is okay to keep a few clownfish together in a tank, it is ideal for keeping them in pairs only. Because clownfish are adorable-looking, having many clownfish or clownfish of a different species can trigger aggression pretty easily.
