Tomato Clownfish
Scientific Name : Amphiprion Frenatus
Origin : Indo-Pacific Seas
Temperament : Aggressive
Temperature : 72F - 82F
Maximum Size : 5 Inches
Diet : Omnivore
Difficulty : Easy
Reef Safe : Yes
Tank Size : 50 Gallons
Another common offering in the marine aquarium trade, the Tomato Clownfish is a larger clown fish that is a bright red as a juvenile. As adults, their colors tend to be darker. They are very similar in appearance to a number of clown fish species that include the Cinnamon clownfish, Amphiprion Barberi and the Fire clownfish.
They are common throughout the Indo-Pacific and are a regular offerinf in the marine aquarium trade. They are also quite cheap and usually cost around $15 per specimen at most. Prices may vary due to mark up.
Like other members of the genus Amphiprion, they have been captive bred extensively for the marine industry. Tank raised specimens usually cost a bit more than wild caught Tomatos. The difference in price is well worth it as captive raised clown fish are generally hardier and work towards the goal of sustainable reefkeeping. Support captive bred species whenever you can.
Like all clown fish, the Tomato Clownfish has a symbiotic relationship with certain anemones. They utilize anemones for protection while they in turn protect it from certain fish in the ocean. They are also pretty aggressive and will not tolerate intrusions into their territory by any fish regardless of size.
Clown fish are some of the easiest marine ornamental fish to keep in the marine aquarium. Very hardy, they adapt well to life in captivity and will feed on a wide variety of foods with little to no trouble.
Because they are such easy fish to feed, we can begin planning the best diet for them. The key is to keep things varied to they get all the nutrients they need from an assortment of foods. While primarily carnivores, they will earn to eat vegetable matter as well.
Get them on a good pellet food like those produced by * New Life Spectrum. These pellets are very well balanced and highly reputable. Some meaty frozen foods to offer include * Mysis Shrimp, * Frozen Krill
and * Prime Reef which is a great seafood mix which includes squid, scallops, lobster, shrimp along with various vitamins ans supplements added in. If you feed your clown fish the above mentioned foods daily, they will go on to lead long and healthy lives.
Tomato Clownfish are larger thanyour regular occelaris and can reach lengths of up to 5 inches. Ensure they are given ample space by providing them with a tank no smaller than a 50 gallon. However, they will do perfectly fine without an anemone. If you are thinking of keeping an anemone, ensure that you have strong lighting, good flow and good water quality. Too many perish in captivity because buyers did not read up on the care and husbandry of these long lived creatures.
A common clownfish, the Tomato Clownfish is nevertheless an attractive fish that gets a bit aggressive as it ages. Given enough space, they will live long and happy lives in captivity provided they have a balanced diet and enought space.
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