How old are your clownfish? (1 Viewer)

[SCUBAFreaky]

In reading through Mike's awesome thread about breeding his Wyoming White and Gladiator clownfish pair got me thinking about my own pair of clowns. My pair are both misbar A. ocellaris. I've had them 10 years this summer and they were juveniles roughly the same size when I got them. I bought them at 2 different Petco's (there are not any good LFS in the Clear Lake Area) and they have done great ever since. Their names are Marlin and Cora (hey, at least I don't also have a Hawaiian Blue Tang as well...hahaha). These two are likely way beyond being able to produce babies at this point but it got me thinking about how long will they actually live. It will be a VERY sad day when they are no longer inhabitants in my tank.

Here are Marlin and Cora...


So, if you care to indulge me...

How old are your clowns?
What variety of clowns are they?
Where did you purchase them?
And, what are their names if applicable?
Pics would be great as well!

It's time to show off your clownfish!

 

[ITreefer]

I believe my clowns are about three years old at this point.
The Wyoming White is named Diamond for obvious reasons. People tease me that it's a stripper name, but I don't care.
I call the gladiator "dude."
They were purchased from the since-closed Aquarium World on 290.

 

[SCUBAFreaky]

I believe my clowns are about three years old at this point.
The Wyoming White is named Diamond for obvious reasons. People tease me that it's a stripper name, but I don't care.
I call the gladiator "dude."
They were purchased from the since-closed Aquarium World on 290.

Diamond and Dude. I love it!! Can't wait to see all of their babies grow out. It's been a ton of fun to follow along your breeding journey for sure! I'm also sad that Aquarium World closed. Total bummer.

 

[ITreefer]

Diamond and Dude. I love it!! Can't wait to see all of their babies grow out. It's been a ton of fun to follow along your breeding journey for sure! I'm also sad that Aquarium World closed. Total bummer.

Glad to have company for the ride!
Yeah it was a nice store for sure.

 

[Tangs]

2 year old tomato and 2 month old baby clown

 

[frankc]

My first clown was an ocellaris. It came with my first SW tank I got used in 1990, so it was the wild variety and probably wild caught. I had it 12 years before it died. It definitely looked like an old fish the last year or so, and yours still look young so they probably have a number of years left.

I have a Clarkii that I have had for four years, and the previous owner had it maybe 2 years. If it had a name it would probably be Butt-head or something worse, because it's kind of a jerk.

I've had my gold stripe maroon clown for 15 years. Other than the stripes getting much thinner, which apparently is a normal part of aging for these, it doesn't show any signs of being old. I got her at Aquarium World also.

Does anyone know, if you have only one clown for many years, is it a male or a female?

 

[PicassoClown]

I got two percula clowns, I believe one is Picasso (my namesake) and the other is some kind of helmet snowflake? Idk. I got both of them at around 1” from That Aquarium Place for $25 each. The Picasso is Kitara and the snowflake is Aang (Im in a phase I know but they’re still cool names). They’re about 2” now so just a couple of months old

 

[ITreefer]

Does anyone know, if you have only one clown for many years, is it a male or a female?

Unless it had previously been in a pair, it should be male. Once they shift to female they can't go back to male.

 

[frankc]

Unless it had previously been in a pair, it should be male. Once they shift to female they can't go back to male.

That makes sense. I just wasn't sure, because I know the dominant one becomes female, and by default the only one would be the dominant one, but I guess it requires another one to trigger the change. It also makes sense because even after 15 years, mine is only around 4" long, and I've heard that the females can get to 7" when they have a mate.

 

[ITreefer]

That makes sense. I just wasn't sure, because I know the dominant one becomes female, and by default the only one would be the dominant one, but I guess it requires another one to trigger the change. It also makes sense because even after 15 years, mine is only around 4" long, and I've heard that the females can get to 7" when they have a mate.

Yeah, thats my understanding as well.

 

[SCUBAFreaky]

I got two percula clowns, I believe one is Picasso (my namesake) and the other is some kind of helmet snowflake? Idk. I got both of them at around 1” from That Aquarium Place for $25 each. The Picasso is Kitara and the snowflake is Aang (Im in a phase I know but they’re still cool names). They’re about 2” now so just a couple of months old

Your clowns look magnificent! I like their names. And I agree, they are cool names.

 

[SCUBAFreaky]

My first clown was an ocellaris. It came with my first SW tank I got used in 1990, so it was the wild variety and probably wild caught. I had it 12 years before it died. It definitely looked like an old fish the last year or so, and yours still look young so they probably have a number of years left.

Yeah, I hope mine do stick around a few more years.

I have a Clarkii that I have had for four years, and the previous owner had it maybe 2 years. If it had a name it would probably be Butt-head or something worse, because it's kind of a jerk.

But he's got quite a personality, doesn't he? I bet you would miss him if you gave him away. Just sayin. ;-)

I've had my gold stripe maroon clown for 15 years. Other than the stripes getting much thinner, which apparently is a normal part of aging for these, it doesn't show any signs of being old. I got her at Aquarium World also.

15 years! That is so awesome. If only I could be so lucky!! Very Kewl!!

 

[Cody]

That makes sense. I just wasn't sure, because I know the dominant one becomes female, and by default the only one would be the dominant one, but I guess it requires another one to trigger the change. It also makes sense because even after 15 years, mine is only around 4" long, and I've heard that the females can get to 7" when they have a mate.

Maybe it has to do with genetics as well? Shaq is technically human, and so is a 4’ 11” little lady.

 

[ARTINA]

My Marron clowns name was Reggie, but became Regina when he started laying eggs at the ripe age of 14 years old.

He's 20 now.


He's a late bloomer (She....).

 

[PicassoClown]

My Marron clowns name was Reggie, but became Regina when he started laying eggs at the ripe age of 14 years old.

He's 20 now.

Hey! That’s my momma’s name! Siri always says rah-gINA though...
He's a late bloomer (She....).

 

[SCUBAFreaky]

My Marron clowns name was Reggie, but became Regina when he started laying eggs at the ripe age of 14 years old.

He's 20 now.

He's a late bloomer (She....).

Twenty years old! That's fantastic! Go Regina go!

 

[SCUBAFreaky]

Who else has some older clownfish?? Let's see 'em!!