About the Sustainable Aquatics Fire Tomato Clownfish – Captive-Bred
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-agressive
Reef Safe: Yes
Diet: Omnivore
Max Size: 3 inches
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
The Tomato Clownfish (Amphiprion frenatus, Brevoort 1856), similar to the Clark’s Anemonefish (Amphiprion clarkii), has a large distribution in the wild compared to many species with a more localized distribution. Tomato clowns are generally found in shallow lagoon areas less than 12 feet deep. It is a popular aquarium fish due to its bright color and durability in the home aquarium. Their large size makes them well-suited to more aggressive community or “predator” aquariums. Tomatoes are aggressive feeders and will accept most aquarium foods, especially meaty seafood and omnivore preparations to mimic their wild diet, which is composed principally of small invertebrates, copepods, planktonic organisms, and algae. After hatching from the egg and growing through metamorphosis, juvenile tomato clowns develop three white stripes, which disappear as they age and mature, leaving only a single white head bar in adults.
Fire clowns are found near Thailand, Malaysia, Java, and Sumatra in Indonesia, and can grow up to 5.5 inches. They are known to be territorial and aggressive within their territory.
SA utilizes multiple broodstock pairs to ensure genetic diversity of the fish being offered for sale. Care of the Fire Tomato clownfish is identical to the common clownfish. Although all sizes are available, the Fire Tomato clownfish typically ships at a size of around 1.5”;
These fish will accept most fish foods and are perfect for reef tanks. More than one can be kept in the same aquarium and they prefer to be kept in groups.
Clownfish have a very distinct swimming motion that is different from most fish. This is likely passed on through their genetic makeup from centuries of wiggling within the tentacles of Anemones. As the Clownfish wiggles within the stinging tentacles the Anemone’s mucus is likely smeared over the Clownfish’s body, which then protects it from additional stings.
In the wild they live in small groups with one large dominant female, one smaller sexually active male, and a handful of smaller males and juveniles. When the female is lost the largest male will then change sex and become the dominant female with the other Clowns moving up the ladder behind it.
Since 2003 the Tennessee Sustainable Aquatics (SA) Hatchery breeds dozens of species from resident broodstock and every month provides thousands of colorful healthy fish.
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