If you have a saltwater tank then you are likely the owner of a stunning clownfish. These delightful animals have always been a popular choice for hobby aquarists but since the success of the Finding Nemo movies, they have become even more sought after. However, marine life isn’t always that simple to take care of and while the clownfish is considered to be one of the easier fish to look after, if it doesn’t have the right diet, it won’t remain in good health for long.
For this reason, it is essential to research the best food for clownfish and offer your pets a nutritious diet. If you’re just beginning your fishkeeping journey, we have selected some of the best products for clownfish and will give you a rundown of the most suitable diet options.
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What Do Clownfish Eat In The Wild?
Clownfish have one massive advantage on the food chain; while they certainly aren’t at the top of it, they tend to hide out in anemones which gives them added protection. For this reason, predators find it difficult to make a meal out of these fish.
When it comes to their own diet, clownfish have one that is rather varied. They enjoy feeding on algae that grows on the reef and this makes up a staple part of their diet. But in addition to this, the clownfish is a plankton picker. This means that it will actively seek out various types of plankton and this forms a significant part of their diet.
They will also feast on the dead tentacles of their host anemone and can be observed eating a variety of small crustaceans.
What Is The Best Food For Clownfish?
When it comes to buying food for your clownfish, your options certainly aren’t limited. Being omnivores, these fish will eat a diet of both meat and plant-based foods but one of the most important things to ensure is that you offer a good amount of protein. This can come in many forms so let’s take a look at some of the best clownfish food options.
Live Food
If you want to replicate the diet that your clownfish would have had in the wild then it is vital to add some live foods into the mix. Keep in mind that there are a vast number of stores that sell live fish food so you have the luxury of being able to shop around for the best deal. That said, it is important not to be tempted by cheap foods that offer very little in the way of nutritional value.
One of the best options when it comes to live foods is shrimp. There are several different kinds and you are best to offer things like brine shrimp, krill, and Mysis.
Dried Shrimp
If you don’t like the idea of feeding live shrimp to your clownfish, there are several dried versions that are just as nutritious. These Mysis shrimp from San Francisco Bay are perfect for a vast number of marine species including the clownfish.
The shrimp are the ideal complement to the algae portion of your clownies diet and come in an easy-to-use container. Being freeze-dried, they have a great shelf life and for this reason, many aquarists like to offer them as an occasional treat as opposed to part of the clownfish’s daily diet.
This is a completely natural food option and has many benefits. For example, regular consumption of these Mysis shrimp will encourage brilliant coloration of the fish. Moreover, they are great for juvenile clownfish as they effectively promote growth.
Frozen Fish Food
There are a plethora of frozen fish food options on the market and the great thing about this is that you have a much vaster choice compared to some of the dried or pre-packaged fish foods out there. Frozen fish food can be made from cuts you purchase from a seafood retailer including pieces of chopped octopus, squid, mussels, cockles, and a selection of white fish.
Bloodworms
One of the most common types of fish food for omnivorous marine life is the bloodworm. These are readily available both online and in aquatic and pet stores around the world. It is possible to buy bloodworms frozen or there are dried options which offer a longer shelf life and more convenient use.
The Tetra Bloodworms are one of the most renowned out there. Not only is this a respected aquatic brand but the quality of the bloodworms is second to none. They contain everything your clownfish needs to thrive and are packed with important proteins.
One of the best things about bloodworms is that they can be offered to clownfish at every stage of their lives. As soon as the fry are able to eat proper food, you can begin offering bloodworms.
Tetra Marine Flakes
If it is pure convenience you are looking for then marine flakes are one of the best options. These flakes are suitable for all types of saltwater fish and are especially beneficial to common species like the clownfish. What’s more, these are an affordable way to give your pet everything it needs and they have a good shelf life to boot!
The Tetra marine flakes are one of our favorite options, primarily because this can be considered a complete diet. The flakes are designed with marine life in mind and are bursting with nutrients that are super beneficial. They can be offered daily and will not affect the quality of the water which is great news since some products will make it cloudy.
The Tetra marine flakes are formulated with very precise amounts of vitamins, minerals and nutrients that are designed to help your clownfish thrive. For example, as part of a regular diet, these flakes will ensure a healthy immune system. Moreover, the flakes are packed with Omega 3 fatty acids which aids in growth and energy levels.
Omega One Garlic Pellets
Flakes are not the only kind of all-in-one diet available for your clownfish, if you prefer, there are several different types of marine pellets. We love these from Omega One as they are oozing with everything your marine life needs to be healthy, happy, and energetic.
The Omega One pellets contain good levels of spirulina as well as beta-carotene which will ensure your clownfish have beautiful, vibrant colors. But of course, looking great isn’t going to benefit your fish’s health and the good news is that these pellets also contain a lot of vitamins and minerals.
Omega 3 fatty acids help to maintain a healthy immune system and the presence of hand-harvested ocean kelp provides your clownfish with a diet that is remarkably similar to the one they would have eaten in the wild.
The pellets don’t sink quickly which is ideal for mealtimes as it allows the fish to eat them before they end up on the base of the tank. But even so, these pellets won’t leave a mess behind and are the perfect solution for anyone who doesn’t want cloudy, low-quality water; and we’re pretty sure that’s something that every hobby aquarist wants!
Vegetables
In the wild, clownfish eat a diet of both meat and plants. If you want to give them the best of everything, you might try complimenting your live food options with a selection of vegetables. Some of the best options are things like spinach and chard as these contain many of the most essential clownfish nutrients.
The flakes and pellets that we have already discussed are perfect for people who don’t want the hassle of chopping up fresh vegetables as these contain a great balance of the meat and plant aspects of the clownfish’s diet.
How To Feed Your Clownfish
When it comes to feeding your clownfish one of the most important things to keep in mind is that too much food can spoil the quality of the water within the tank. For this reason, we would always suggest only adding as much food as your clownfish can eat in a couple of minutes. Any leftovers will remain in the water and throw the balance off. If you add in too little food and your clownfish still seem hungry, you can always add more, but getting it back out again can be a bit of a nightmare.
It can be tempting to feed your clownfish too often purely for the enjoyment of watching these fascinating little animals enjoying their food. But as they say, there can be too much of a good thing so it is important to ensure that you don’t overfeed your fish. Clownfish require only one or two feeds a day, however, there is an exception to this rule. When your clownfish are breeding, they are going to use up much more energy and so will need to be fed double the amount of times each day.
When feeding breeding clownfish, it may be better to steer clear of fresh foods as you cannot be certain of the quality. Instead, using some of the pellets or flakes that we have talked about is the better option. Feeding your clownfish more than four times a day is a fruitless exercise so offering three to four quality meals should always be your priority.
Hikari Marine A Pellets
One of our favorite products for breeding clownfish are the Hikari Marine A Pellets. These are of an excellent quality and will ensure your parents to be will have everything they need in terms of nutrition for this important cycle of their lives.
The pellets contain a lot of natural ingredients that are designed to help various types of marine life thrive. This includes seaweed and spirulina which not only promotes excellent health but also enhances the colors of your fish. It can be used as part of a daily diet and will also boost the growth of your clownfish.
These Marine A Pellets are slow sinking so your fish won’t miss them before they get to the bottom, but it’s still important to only offer as much as the fish will eat in one to two minutes. Moreover, they are very easily assimilated so you don’t need to worry about them affecting the quality of the water; it’s a win-win all round.
Conclusion
The clownfish is one of the most popular types of saltwater aquarium fish especially after the success of the Finding Nemo movies. If you are considering getting a clownfish, it is vital that you take care of it well and this begins by offering a complete and balanced diet.
These fish are omnivores which means that they need both plant and meat-based foods. There is a great selection of flakes and pellets out there that offer everything your clownfish needs, but it is also possible to provide them with fresh food such as live shrimp as well as leafy vegetables.
