Clownfish, for some reason, seem to be growing in popularity as collectors of rare aquatic creatures scramble to find the most beautiful of them all. Some of their popularity can be attributed to the “Finding Nemo” movie and it’s spin-off, “Finding Dory.”
What Makes Clownfish Interesting
- Clownfish are born hermaphrodites, all male, and can turn themselves female
- Once a clownfish goes female, it can’t go back - two males will become mates and the larger, dominant fish will become female
- Clownfish are very social fish and live in groups
- Clownfish groups are lead by one dominant female(if only it worked that way in the human-world!)
- They communicate by making clicking and popping noises
- They are omnivores (they eat meat and plants, just like us!)
There are worse things to spend over $1,000 on
Clownfish, in all actuality, aren’t the easiest fish in the sea when it comes to new aquarium owners (or “aquarists”, as they like to call themselves). New fish owners are routinely encouraged to stick with freshwater fish until they are comfortable creating the right ecosystem for the types of fish that live in saltwater systems. In addition, you won’t be able to just roll into a pet store and buy the higher quality of clownfish - in fact, initial setup costs can add up to $500 or more, depending on the items and clownfish species you pick.
What To Look For In A Clownfish
- Good color
- Size: if you’re going to get more than one, always have a bigger one and a smaller one, or else one could get predatory and injure or possibly kill the other
- Unique striping patterns and naturally occurring color variations
One of the Most Expensive Clownfish sold? An $8,900 PeaceKeeper Maroon
A recent auction on eBay occurred in which a reported PeaceKeeper Maroon rare clownfish in a coral saltwater aquarium was sold for $8,900. The fish was reported to be a biaculeatus, in terms of species. The seller received 100% on the buyer feedback, which lends credibility to the idea that it was a legitimate clownfish. (Seriously, who buys a clownfish for that much?)
Runner Up: Black Ice Snowflake pair, $785; Black Phantom Snowflakes, $920; Chrysogaster, $2,250
An adult bonded pair of Black Ice Snowflake Ocellaris clownfish are going for almost $800 and a pair of Black Phantom Snowflakes are for sale for $920 from the same supplier. The most expensive, however? A pair of Chrysogaster/Mauritian Anemonefish for $2,250. The most recently sold and expensive? A singular Macculloch’s Clown for $5,850.
Second Runner-Up for “Ridiculously Overpriced Aquatic Creatures”: $649.99 Black Storm Clownfish Pair
Currently up for auction on eBay is a pair of live saltwater Sea & Reef Black Storm Clownfish. A tropical fish-type, this clownfish was Sea & Reef aquacultured.
On Average: $50
One of the top distributors for clownfish, LiveAquaria, routinely has certified and captive-bred clownfish for around $50, if that fits your wallet and budget a bit better.
Conclusion
Look, if you’re absolutely insistent on buying a highly overpriced aquatic creature you can’t even play fetch with, a clownfish isn’t the worst thing you could buy. Make sure you treat the water for 4-6 weeks before you place your fish in the aquarium, and purchase plants, rocks, and other aquatic items (like places to hide, reefs, etc) that will pair with the specific breed and type of fish you select. If you’re looking to learn more about the species itself or more about saltwater aquariums, this blog is a great resource.
