What fish can live with Ocellaris Clownfish?

Royal gramma, Yellow watchman goby + pistol shrimp, Six-line wrasse, Banggai cardinalfish, Firefish.

What fish should not live with Ocellaris Clownfish?

Other clownfish species in same tank, Most damsel species (other than chromis), Eels (most), Triggerfish + groupers, Aggressive angelfish (queen, French, gray).

Are Ocellaris Clownfish aggressive?

Ocellaris clownfish are peaceful in a pair + reef-safe. Compatible with most reef inhabitants but defensive of their territory once a host anemone is established.

Tankmate compatibility

What fish are compatible with Ocellaris Clownfish?

Ocellaris Clownfish compatibility guide. 7 compatible tankmates + 5 species to avoid + temperament + size + water-chemistry guidance.

Compatible tankmates (7)

Royal gramma

Peaceful, bright color, lives in different tank zone.

Yellow watchman goby + pistol shrimp

Bottom dweller, no overlap with clowns.

Six-line wrasse

Reef-safe, eats parasites; mildly aggressive but ignores clowns.

Banggai cardinalfish

Schooling, peaceful, mid-water dweller.

Firefish

Peaceful + small, hovers in mid water.

Chromis (3-5 group)

Schooling damselfish, similar peaceful temperament.

Tang species (large enough tank)

75g+: Yellow tang, kole tang, tomini tang. Different feeding zone (algae).

Avoid these tankmates (5)

Other clownfish species in same tank

Clownfish only pair with one species per tank. Mixing species causes constant fights.

Most damsel species (other than chromis)

Damsels are aggressive and outcompete clowns for territory.

Eels (most)

Eat clowns at night.

Triggerfish + groupers

Predators that eat clowns.

Aggressive angelfish (queen, French, gray)

Outcompete + bully clowns.

Plan your stocking

Use the stocking calculator to verify your specific plan. Browse stocking ideas by tank size for proven setups, or read the Ocellaris Clownfish care guide for full husbandry details.

More compatibility guides

Browse all tankmate guides.

Aquarium-keeping fundamentals

Whatever specific topic brought you here, four fundamentals govern long-term aquarium success: water quality, parameter stability, biological filtration, and species-appropriate husbandry. Skip any one and the others struggle to compensate.

Water quality: ammonia + nitrite at zero, nitrate under 30 ppm freshwater + 10 ppm reef. Test weekly with API or Salifert kits. Use our water parameter checker to score your readings against your tank type.

Parameter stability: stable wrong parameters beat fluctuating ideal parameters. Most fish tolerate a wide pH range if it's stable. Sudden swings of 0.4+ pH or 5+°F kill fish faster than chronic suboptimal values. Use temperature controllers (Inkbird) + automated dosing for consistency.

Biological filtration: the bacterial colony on your filter media + rock + substrate is the engine. Never replace all media at once. Use our filter turnover calculator to size correctly.

Species-appropriate husbandry: research adult size, territoriality, diet, and tankmate compatibility before purchase. Use our tank stocking calculator + compatibility guides.

Frequently asked questions

How long does an aquarium take to set up? 4-6 weeks for full cycling + first stocking. Use our cycle ETA calculator + how long does cycling take.

What's the best aquarium for beginners? 20-gallon long. Big enough for parameter stability, small enough for budget + space. See beginner picks.

How often should I do water changes? 25-30% weekly. See water change frequency Q&A + water change calculator.

Why does my fish keep dying? 5 leading causes: uncycled tank, wrong species pairings, no quarantine, undersized tank, neglected water-change schedule. See full diagnosis.