Maroon Clowns

[TheHolding]

I lost my common clowns a couple of weeks ago and looking to replace them.

I was in a LFS today and came across a pair of Maroons.

The female was huge and a good 5 to 6 inches, I have never seen clowns this big.

When I enquired to the cost I was quoted £95 which I though was a bit steep.

Didn't get them in the end as i was worried that due to the size they were a lot older - I would be sick paying that only a month later to lose the female.

So my questions for people who own these -

1. Is £95 steep for an adult sexed pair, he told me it was a reduced price as they had them a while and said they usually retail at £115 for this size.
2. Should I be concerned of the size and how old would these fish likely be?

They had some other lovely clowns black commons and a beautiful pair of saddlebacks but unfortunately the female had pop eye which put me off.

After something different from common clowns, any other suggestions welcome.

 

[Man of fish]

I like tomato clowns. My neighbor is getting some maroon clowns for his 125 gallon and he told me they need at least a 30-50 gallon tank. Not sure about the price question or the age question sorry.

 

[TheHolding]

Also like the tomato clowns but never really see them in the South West.

The saddlebacks were really nice gutted the female had Pop eye.

I have a 55 gallon so no issues there.

 

[Man of fish]

Ordering online is always an option but then you may not get a pair. Could your LFS order you them if you really like some type of fish?

 

[ALW]

My lfs had a breeding pair for sale at £60 a few weeks back, so imo £95 is too much but at the end of the day do you think they are worth the price?

 

[TheHolding]

They were lovely fish but like you say I was put off by the price.

The female was huge though lol.

 

[lljdma06]

yeah, but I'd have problems with a Lfs that was selling fish that had pop eye.

 

[TheHolding]

TBF the female with pop eye was hiding in the anenome a lot and only came out once.

They prob haven't noticed.

 

[lljdma06]

If I see something funny I usually point it out, yeah, I'm that cheeky. Glad you avoided the saddlebacks. Maroons are beautiful, though. They have these new morphs lightning maroons that are very popular in the US now

http/www.nanoreefblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/whitelightningmaroonclownfish.jpg

 

[Donya]

2. Should I be concerned of the size and how old would these fish likely be?

Could be old - no way to know unfortunately. The same risk exists for all large individuals of other animals in the trade, particularly when the animal is wild-caught instead of captive-bred. You could have a relatively young one that just grew fast or it could be on its last legs. If you want to avoid that gamble, the best bet is to get two immature ones (better if captive-bred for the age reason among other things) and pair them yourself. Pairing maroons is really not has hard as a lot of people make it out to be, it just requires a bit more patience than is the case for other clown species. This approach will also be the cheapest, with the only overhead being the cost of a breeder net/basket if you don't already have one.

 

[TheHolding]

If I see something funny I usually point it out, yeah, I'm that cheeky. Glad you avoided the saddlebacks. Maroons are beautiful, though. They have these new morphs lightning maroons that are very popular in the US now

http/www.nanoreefblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/whitelightningmaroonclownfish.jpg

They are nice fish, not seen anything like it in the UK.

 

[TheHolding]

2. Should I be concerned of the size and how old would these fish likely be?

Could be old - no way to know unfortunately. The same risk exists for all large individuals of other animals in the trade, particularly when the animal is wild-caught instead of captive-bred. You could have a relatively young one that just grew fast or it could be on its last legs. If you want to avoid that gamble, the best bet is to get two immature ones (better if captive-bred for the age reason among other things) and pair them yourself. Pairing maroons is really not has hard as a lot of people make it out to be, it just requires a bit more patience than is the case for other clown species. This approach will also be the cheapest, with the only overhead being the cost of a breeder net/basket if you don't already have one.

Thanks Donya glad I didn't get them.

Would be gutted if I bought them and they died a couple of months later. I will wait for something else to catch my eye preferably something not as expensive.

 

[TheHolding]

I ended up getting some juvenile Clarkii Clowns.

Will take some pics tomorrow will let them settle in first.

 

[lljdma06]

I ended up getting some juvenile Clarkii Clowns.

Will take some pics tomorrow will let them settle in first.

Clarkii are lovely.

 

[ALW]

I ended up getting some juvenile Clarkii Clowns.

Will take some pics tomorrow will let them settle in first.

Clarkii are lovely.

I like Clarkis too