the REAL minimum tank size for a clown fish.

jessey

jessey

Large Fish
#1
Dec 25, 2006
548
0
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37
Tampa, FL
#1
all right, i think i know the answer to this before i begin. but i've gotta just throw it out there. ;)

i've always read that the absolute minimum for a clown (perc/false perc/etc) was 7 gallons. however, i know that sometimes "absolute minimums" are often exaggerated.. and i know katie has a clownfish in her 5 gallon (a beautiful one, at that *thumbsup2 ), and is planning to possibly add another fish.

so i am curious, would it be feasible to house a clown in my 3 gallon nano? i have my 1 cleaner shrimp (who is still pretty tiny) along with my hermits+snails. i understand if the answer is no jess, it would be like life in prison, but i thought i'd see what everyone thought at least.

and if this was doable, which kind of clown would be best suited? false perc, true perc, tomato clown... i know there are lots of types but i don't necessarily know the differences between them all!!

jessey
 

C

CoolWaters

Superstar Fish
#2
Dec 10, 2006
1,028
1
0
Milpitas
#2
iv seen a small clown in thos Deco Kit Nano Reef 3 Gallon tanks...but i wont recommend it because of how big they can get.

i dont even feel like having 1 in my 10g...should have down a 20g tank...
 

Panther28

Panther28

Superstar Fish
#5
Jun 7, 2006
1,024
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0
Fremont, CA 94536
#5
10 is definitely the minimum but a few people here have a clown in a 5 gallon. According to me if you are putting a clown in a 5 g and have plans of upgrading in the future then I don't see any harm in that. At my LFS they keep their fish in cubes as if they were in jail. they are about 4" x 4". And they stay their for weeks. But it is temp so I guess it is ok.
 

Katie217

Katie217

Superstar Fish
#7
Jul 15, 2006
2,494
5
0
Florida
#7
My clown in my 5gal is (from what I can tell) pretty friggin happy and healthy. But then again, I keep my water in tip-top shape at all times. And I would assume this would be much harder in a 3gal just because of the size of tank. I've also noticed that clowns swim around ALOT and I dontthink there is enough room in a 3gal. So no sorry I dont think its a good idea. I know mine in a 5gal is pushing it, and I do intend on keeping him there for life, but there is a slight chance that I might be setting up a 10gal SW (not any time soon though) But for the moment, the 5gal is home.

Oh and thanks! He really is a beautiful clown! :D
 

jessey

jessey

Large Fish
#8
Dec 25, 2006
548
0
0
37
Tampa, FL
#8
yeah what everyone's said it pretty much what i figured... i know one of the reasons gobies are so well suited for small nano tanks is that they perch on rocks/walls/sand more often than they swim freely. i can see how a clown would cramped!

in other news, i picked up a yellow clown goby today. :) he's SO tiny and cute as a button!!
 

ram man

ram man

Superstar Fish
#13
Apr 16, 2005
1,441
4
38
33
Arizona
#13
I'm not going to get started on friggin nemo... smallest tank size IMO is a 5.5 gallon tank. 3 gallon is a definite no. If you want a fish in your 3 gallon go for a small perching goby.
 

ram man

ram man

Superstar Fish
#15
Apr 16, 2005
1,441
4
38
33
Arizona
#15
There are plenty of people who have success keeping false percs in 5.5s long term. All you need is clean water. which every one should have in the first place
 

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