Family overview: Pomacentridae includes ~360 species of marine fishes including all clownfishes (Amphiprion + Premnas) and most damselfishes (Chromis, Chrysiptera, Dascyllus). Tropical reef-associated. Most are small, hardy, and reef-safe.
Short answer: the 17 clownfish and damselfish (Pomacentridae) listed in the Fast Aquatics species database need a minimum of 20 to 40 gallons, water at 72 to 82°F and pH 8.1 to 8.4. 13 of 17 are rated beginner and one is rated advanced or expert; six are listed as peaceful, and 17 are marked fully reef safe. The table below gives the per-species numbers.
| Species | Min tank | Temp (°F) | pH | Salinity (SG) | Difficulty | Temperament | Reef safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocellaris Clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris | 20 gal | 74 to 80 | 8.1 to 8.4 | 1.023 to 1.025 | Beginner | Peaceful | Yes |
| Percula Clownfish Amphiprion percula | 20 gal | 74 to 80 | 8.1 to 8.4 | 1.023 to 1.025 | Beginner | Peaceful | Yes |
| Pink Skunk Clownfish Amphiprion perideraion | 20 gal | 75 to 82 | 8.1 to 8.4 | 1.023 to 1.025 | Beginner | Peaceful | Yes |
| Allardi Clownfish Amphiprion allardi | 30 gal | 75 to 82 | 8.1 to 8.4 | 1.023 to 1.025 | Intermediate | Semi-aggressive | Yes |
| Azure Damsel Chrysiptera hemicyanea | 30 gal | 75 to 82 | 8.1 to 8.4 | 1.023 to 1.025 | Beginner | Semi-aggressive | Yes |
| Blue Chromis Chromis cyanea | 30 gal | 75 to 82 | 8.1 to 8.4 | 1.023 to 1.025 | Beginner | Peaceful | Yes |
| Blue Green Chromis Chromis viridis | 30 gal | 75 to 82 | 8.1 to 8.4 | 1.023 to 1.025 | Beginner | Peaceful | Yes |
| Cinnamon Clownfish Amphiprion melanopus | 30 gal | 75 to 82 | 8.1 to 8.4 | 1.023 to 1.025 | Beginner | Semi-aggressive | Yes |
| Clarkii Clownfish Amphiprion clarkii | 30 gal | 75 to 82 | 8.1 to 8.4 | 1.023 to 1.025 | Beginner | Semi-aggressive | Yes |
| Fiji Blue Devil Damsel Chrysiptera taupou | 30 gal | 75 to 82 | 8.1 to 8.4 | 1.023 to 1.025 | Beginner | Aggressive | Yes |
| Maroon Clownfish / Gold Stripe Maroon Clownfish Premnas biaculeatus | 30 gal | 75 to 82 | 8.1 to 8.4 | 1.023 to 1.025 | Intermediate | Aggressive | Yes |
| Sebae Clownfish Amphiprion sebae | 30 gal | 75 to 82 | 8.1 to 8.4 | 1.023 to 1.025 | Intermediate | Semi-aggressive | Yes |
| Springers Damsel Chrysiptera springeri | 30 gal | 75 to 82 | 8.1 to 8.4 | 1.023 to 1.025 | Beginner | Semi-aggressive | Yes |
| Talbots Damsel Chrysiptera talboti | 30 gal | 75 to 82 | 8.1 to 8.4 | 1.023 to 1.025 | Beginner | Peaceful | Yes |
| Tomato Clownfish Amphiprion frenatus | 30 gal | 75 to 82 | 8.1 to 8.4 | 1.023 to 1.025 | Beginner | Semi-aggressive | Yes |
| Yellowtail Damsel Chrysiptera parasema | 30 gal | 75 to 82 | 8.1 to 8.4 | 1.023 to 1.025 | Beginner | Semi-aggressive | Yes |
| Latezonatus Clownfish Amphiprion latezonatus | 40 gal | 72 to 78 | 8.1 to 8.4 | 1.023 to 1.025 | Advanced | Semi-aggressive | Yes |
Source: Fast Aquatics species database (table species, 424 catalog records, pulled 2026-10-07). Values are the catalog care minimums for each species; individual animals, wild-caught stock and long-term adult size can call for more space or tighter parameters. Click a species for its full care sheet.
Defining characteristics: Small body (most 2-6 inches), single-piece dorsal fin, deep-bodied profile, and complex social behaviors. Clownfish are obligate symbionts with anemones in nature (less essential in aquaria). Most damsels are territorial + can be aggressive in confined spaces.
Clownfish species: Amphiprion ocellaris (false percula - Finding Nemo species - most-bred captive species), A. percula (true percula - similar but slightly different patterning), A. clarkii (Clark's - hardy + adaptable), A. frenatus (tomato - gold or red), A. melanopus (cinnamon), A. ephippium (fire), A. polymnus (saddleback - black + white), Premnas biaculeatus (maroon - largest clownfish, most aggressive). Plus dozens of designer color morphs: snowflake, black ice, midnight, mocha storm, gladiator, picasso, platinum, lightning maroon, and rare varieties.
Damsel species: Chromis viridis (green/blue-green chromis - peaceful schooler), C. multilineata (Atlantic chromis), C. dispar (yellow-tail dispar), Chrysiptera parasema (yellow-tail damsel), C. cyanea (blue devil), C. talboti (talbotti), Dascyllus aruanus (humbug), D. trimaculatus (three-spot domino), D. melanurus (four-stripe), Abudefduf saxatilis (sergeant major).
Tank requirements: 30g+ for single clownfish, 55g+ for clownfish pair, 30g+ for chromis schools, 30g+ for damsel pairs. Damsels can be aggressive in undersized tanks - allocate territory.
Water chemistry: Standard reef parameters: salinity 1.025 SG / 35 ppt, temp 76-80°F, pH 8.1-8.4, alkalinity 8-9 dKH, calcium 400-450 ppm, magnesium 1300-1400 ppm. Ammonia + nitrite at 0 ppm.
Feeding ecology: Clownfish + damsels are omnivorous. Feed marine pellet + frozen mysis + brine + occasional Cyclops. 2-3 small portions daily. Acclimate frozen-only feeders to pellet for convenience.
Breeding strategies: Clownfish are protandrous hermaphrodites - dominant fish becomes female; submissive becomes male. Pairs form lifelong bonds. Lay eggs on flat surfaces (rock, anemone base, glass) - male tends eggs + fans + cleans. Eggs hatch in 7-10 days. Captive breeding is widespread + clownfish are the most-aquacultured marine species.
Common diseases: Brooklynella (clownfish disease) - rapid mucus shed + skin lesions - treat with formalin + freshwater dip. Marine velvet - copper at 1.5-2.5 ppm in quarantine. Marine ich - copper or tank-transfer method. Always quarantine new arrivals.
Where to buy: Browse the complete clownfish + damsel library on Fast Aquatics with hundreds of color morphs covered.
In the Fast Aquatics species database, the 17 clownfish and damselfish (Pomacentridae) we list need a catalog minimum of 20 to 40 gallons. Ocellaris Clownfish, Percula Clownfish and Pink Skunk Clownfish list 20 gallons; Allardi Clownfish, Azure Damsel, Blue Chromis and ten more list 30 gallons; Latezonatus Clownfish lists 40 gallons. Treat those figures as floors for a single specimen or a small group. Schooling species, territorial fish and animals that reach full adult size need more room, so size up when you plan to keep several together.
Across the 17 clownfish and damselfish (Pomacentridae) in our catalog, listed temperatures run 72 to 82°F and pH runs 8.1 to 8.4. The band every listed species shares is 75 to 78°F and pH 8.1 to 8.4, which is the safest target for a mixed tank. Listed salinity is 1.023 to 1.025 specific gravity. Keep readings steady inside the range and test before adding new livestock.
Our catalog rates the 17 clownfish and damselfish (Pomacentridae) as follows: 13 beginner (Ocellaris Clownfish, Percula Clownfish, Pink Skunk Clownfish and ten more), three intermediate (Allardi Clownfish, Maroon Clownfish / Gold Stripe Maroon Clownfish and Sebae Clownfish), one advanced (Latezonatus Clownfish). If this is your first time with clownfish and damselfish (Pomacentridae), start with the beginner-rated species and read its care sheet before buying, since care needs differ between species even within one group.
Of the 17 clownfish and damselfish (Pomacentridae) in our catalog, 17 are marked reef safe (Ocellaris Clownfish, Percula Clownfish, Pink Skunk Clownfish and 14 more). "With caution" means the animal may pick at some corals, clams or small invertebrates depending on the individual and how well it is fed, so watch new additions closely in a mixed reef and check the species care sheet for specifics.
Clownfish are protandrous hermaphrodites - dominant fish becomes female; submissive becomes male. Pairs form lifelong bonds. Lay eggs on flat surfaces (rock, anemone base, glass) - male tends eggs + fans + cleans. Eggs hatch in 7-10 days. Captive breeding is widespread + clownfish are the most-aquacultured marine species.