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    Clownfish

    Tomato clownfish

    Amphiprion frenatus

    Also sold as Red and black anemonefish

    Tomato clownfish (Amphiprion frenatus), photographed in the sea or an aquarium
    Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
    Care level
    Beginner
    Adult size
    12.7 cm in aquariums
    Minimum tank
    114 litres
    Temperament
    Semi-aggressive
    With corals
    Reef safe
    Captive-bred
    Captive-bred sold, limited
    IUCN status
    Least Concern
    Show volumes in

    How do you care for the tomato clownfish?

    Semi-aggressive; females can become very territorial.

    Feeding

    Omnivore.

    Aggressive feeder.

    Tank and special needs

    Plan for at least 114 litres of water (the care sheet says 30 US gallons).

    Bubble tip anemone is the usual host if one is wanted.

    Why this care level

    Hardy but territorial; better as an only clownfish.

    Corals and invertebrates

    None reported.

    Which tankmates suit the tomato clownfish?

    One pair only; introduce clownfish together.

    Suggested order in a mixed tank: add after the first peaceful fish.

    More than one tomato clownfish

    Only as a mated pair, or two juveniles added together. A third tomato clownfish is usually driven out.

    Other fish

    Checked against the other 59 fish in this guide, assuming a tank big enough for both. Individual fish differ, so treat this as a starting point.

    Avoid together (4)

    Usually fine together (55)

    Invertebrates

    Only the invertebrates with a known risk are listed.

    Take care (2)

    • Tiger tail sea cucumberA stressed or dead tiger tail sea cucumber can release toxins that harm fish; cover pump intakes.
    • Sea appleA stressed or dead sea apple can release toxins that harm fish; cover pump intakes.

    Corals and anemones

    Only the corals and anemones with a known risk are listed.

    No known problems with the corals and anemones in this guide.

    These checks follow the reasons fish and invertebrates clash: same species or genus, similar shape, mouth size, temperament, food, burrows, tank size and the order they are added. Individual animals differ; every source agrees on that.

    Quarantine and health

    As other clownfish.

    New fish are the most common way disease gets into a reef tank. Quarantine every fish in a separate tank before it joins the display, and choose a method that suits its tolerance of copper.

    Captive-bred or wild?

    Captive-bred (LiveAquaria listing is captive-bred).

    Sources

    1. LiveAquaria (US retailer) care sheetRead 21 October 2026, read in full. Used for: stats.
    2. FishBase species summaryRead 21 October 2026, read in full. Used for: max length, IUCN.

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    Ocellaris clownfish

    Amphiprion ocellaris

    Good first fish

    Care
    Beginner
    Adult size
    11 cm
    Tank from
    76 litres
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Corals
    Reef safe

    Photo Ritiks, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Percula clownfish

    Amphiprion percula

    Good first fish

    Care
    Beginner
    Adult size
    8 cm
    Tank from
    114 litres
    Temperament
    Mostly peaceful
    Corals
    Reef safe

    Photo CrisisRose, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Clark's anemonefish

    Amphiprion clarkii

    Care
    Beginner
    Adult size
    15 cm
    Tank from
    114 litres
    Temperament
    Semi-aggressive
    Corals
    Reef safe

    Photo Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Maroon clownfish

    Premnas biaculeatus

    Care
    Intermediate
    Adult size
    15 cm
    Tank from
    114 litres
    Temperament
    Aggressive
    Corals
    Reef safe

    Photo Bernard Dupont, CC BY-SA 2.0