One of the most popular saltwater fish is the clownfish. They live in warm places like the Pacific Ocean, the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and, of course, the old cartoon Finding Nemo.
In addition to their well-known TV appearance, clownfish are easily recognized by their bright orange and red stripes and unique looks. But the attraction and appeal of clownfish is not just limited to aesthetics. Clownfish’s symbiotic relationships with sea anemones are one of their most intriguing behaviors.
Still, just like any other animal, food majorly influences its health and in turn, its appeal. So it makes sense that someone who is just starting to keep fish will have these questions: what do clownfish eat in the wild? What should you feed them in the aquarium? How often should you feed them?
If you’re here to seek answers to any of these questions, then you are in the right place. This article will answer all these questions and many more to come. As a bonus, we’ll also dish out some really good clownfish feeding tips.
What Do Nemo Fish Eat? A Complete Guide to Feeding Your Ocellaris Clownfish
The Ocellaris clownfish popularly known as the “Nemo fish” from Disney’s Finding Nemo is one of the most recognizable and beloved aquarium fish. With their vivid orange and white striped bodies and playful personalities, it’s no wonder they have become so iconic. But beneath that adorable exterior lies a hearty, easy-to-care for fish that can thrive in home aquariums with the proper diet and care. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about what to feed your Nemo fish for optimal health and happiness.
Clownfish Diet in the Wild
In their natural coral reef habitats in the Indo-Pacific, Ocellaris clownfish are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. Their diverse diet consists mainly of small invertebrates like copepods, brine shrimp, and mysid shrimp. They also graze on algae and other vegetable matter growing in the reef.
Clownfish have specialized mouths perfect for nibbling and picking small meaty foods from the reef. They use their tiny, comb-like teeth to scrape algae off rocks and corals. Powerful sucking mouths allow them to slurp up tiny crustaceans and zooplankton from the water column.
Being aggressive feeders, clownfish will dart out from their anemone homes to snatch any morsel of food passing by. By sampling a wide variety of reef critters and plants, wild clownfish obtain all the protein, vitamins and nutrients they need to thrive.
Best Foods for Pet Clownfish
In home aquariums, Ocellaris clownfish should be fed a varied carnivorous diet to mimic their natural feeding habits. Here are some of the best foods to offer captive clownfish:
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High quality omnivore flakes and pellets – These provide balanced nutrition in an easy to feed format. Choose brands formulated for marine fish with added vitamins. Soak pellets before feeding to prevent intestinal issues.
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Frozen meaty foods – Mysid shrimp, marine fish eggs, brine shrimp, mackerel, and cyclopeeze are excellent options. These most closely match the clownfish’s wild diet.
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Live brine shrimp – A treat that clownfish relish! Hatch brine shrimp eggs to provide occasional live meals.
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Vegetables – Spirulina-enriched dried seaweed, marine algae and veggie flakes provide beneficial vitamins.
Feeding Schedule
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Feed juvenile clownfish 2-3 small meals daily.
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Adults do well with 1-2 larger meals daily.
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Feed only what fish can consume within 2-3 minutes, no more. Uneaten food pollutes water.
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Offer a rotation of frozen, live, flake and pellet foods for variety.
Water Quality and Tank Setup Are Also Critical
Of course, diet is just one aspect of proper clownfish care. Ensuring excellent water quality and habitat setup are also key to your Nemo fish’s wellbeing. Here are some quick tips:
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House clownfish in at least a 20 gallon tank, larger is better. Give them room to swim.
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Maintain pristine water with frequent testing and partial water changes. Target pH 8-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025, temp 75-80°F.
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Include plenty of live rock for shelter and beneficial bacteria to filter the water.
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Keep tankmates peaceful and reef-safe. Avoid aggressive species that may harass passive clownfish.
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Add supplements as needed to replenish essential minerals removed by water changes.
With the right tank conditions and a healthy, varied diet, Ocellaris clownfish will readily adapt to aquarium life and make interactive, hardy pets. Now that you know what to feed Nemo fish, you’ll be prepared to keep them thriving for years of enjoyment!
Frequency of Entities:
Ocellaris clownfish: 20
Nemo fish: 7
brine shrimp: 3
frozen foods: 2
flakes: 2
pellets: 2
mysid shrimp: 2
marine fish eggs: 1
mackerel: 1
cyclopeeze: 1
spirulina: 1
seaweed: 1
marine algae: 1
veggie flakes: 1
live rock: 2
pH: 1
sg: 1
temp: 1
Certain Live Food Types
This is a typical issue for novice fish keepers who believe that natural also equates to healthy. This is blatantly false. Many things in nature may be dangerous to humans, and the same is valid for fish.
If you feed your clownfish different worms, bugs, and fish you catch in the wild, things could go badly very quickly. Most wild fish, worms, and insects carry germs and parasites that will swiftly spread to your clownfish.
Also, they will become constipated from overeating protein, leaving them with a lot of work. So give them protein-rich foods around twice a week.
You can give your clownfish animal protein every day as long as you give it in small amounts and always mix it with vegetables.
Food Types to Keep Away from Your Clownfish
However, just because clownfish eat a lot doesn’t mean you can put anything in their tank as food. In the same way that they shouldn’t be overfed, some types of food don’t work well with their bodies.
So here are some food types you should not administer to your clownfish: