Goldstripe Misbar Maroon Clownfish 5cm

Natural Range

Maroon clownfish are naturally found throughout the Indo-Pacific region and the Great Barrier Reef, while the Gold Stripe Maroon Clownfish originates from Sumatra, Indonesia.

Max Size and Longevity

These clownfish can reach a maximum size of approximately 17cm and may live for more than six years in captivity when properly cared for.

Water Parameters

Ideal water conditions include a temperature between 24–26°C, a pH of 8.0–8.4, and a specific gravity of 1.020–1.025.

Feeding

Maroon clownfish are excellent eaters and should be offered a varied diet. Suitable foods include fresh chopped meaty foods, live and frozen brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, quality marine flakes, and pellets.

Compatibility

As they mature, maroon clownfish become highly territorial and are best kept either individually or as a bonded pair. They are more suitable for aquariums with bold tank mates such as angelfish, tangs, triggerfish, and wrasses. Smaller peaceful fish, including other clownfish species, may be harassed.

Colour and Varieties

Maroon clownfish display a deep maroon body colour with three distinctive white stripes. The Gold Stripe variety is very similar, except the bands are thicker and develop a rich yellow-gold colour. Both varieties are available as captive-bred and wild-caught specimens.

General Information

The two spines located on the gill cover give the maroon clownfish its species name, biaculeatus, meaning “spine cheek.” These spines can sometimes become tangled in nets during handling.

Maroon clownfish do not require a host anemone to survive, although they will usually accept a variety of anemone species if provided. The Gold Stripe clownfish is considered a relatively recent discovery within the genus Premnas. Captive-bred Gold Stripe Maroons often take time to fully develop their golden stripe colouration, usually after pairing and settling into an established aquarium.

Sexing and Breeding

Maroon clownfish have been successfully bred in captivity. Males are generally smaller, redder in colour, and less aggressive than females. Like all clownfish, they are protandrous hermaphrodites, meaning they can change sex when the dominant female dies or is removed from the aquarium. In this situation, the dominant male will transition into a female and gradually develop a deeper maroon colour, while the next most dominant juvenile will become the breeding male.

Handy Hints for Success

Tank-bred maroon clownfish are generally hardier than wild-caught fish, although both forms can still be very aggressive. It is important to monitor territorial behaviour closely. To help reduce aggression, it is often best to add them last to the aquarium or rearrange the décor before introducing them.

Common Diseases or Problems

Wild-caught clownfish can be susceptible to diseases such as white spot (Cryptocaryon irritans), velvet (Oodinium ocellatum), and Brooklynella hostilis. White spot and velvet can usually be treated with copper-based medications, while Brooklynella can be treated using a multi-cure medication. Care should be taken to ensure invertebrates are not present when using these treatments. Quarantining new fish before adding them to the main aquarium is strongly recommended.