Maroon Clown Yay or Nay

[PhishEDELIC]

Just set up a 50g tank, 36”x18”x19”. The plan is a bare bottom SPS dominated reef. I’m going to do a fish-less Dr. Tims cycle. And after that start adding some fish. I’m gonna want some utility fish such as 6-line wrasse and filefish maybe a tang. But I really want a pair of lightning Maroon clowns. My question is that size tank going to cause them to be too territorial with the other fish? I’ve tried to make my aquascape with tons of caves and habitat. So what’s your opinion?

Pictures are my tank aquascape and an internet pic of my clownfish inspiration :)


View attachment 20260201_194542_70E36EC2-63C5-4E52-BAC3-1C1DAC770E58.mov

 

[Tahoe61]

As with most Maroon they get ferocious when mature. I had a pair in a JBJ 45, the female was 6 inches when I broke the tank down.
Lighting Maroon had been my dream fish since they were first discovered and than aquacultured.
Go for it, but add them last.

 

[KrisReef]

I love these fishes, but they may be a challenge to keep other fishes in this small footprint as they grow.

 

[Ocellaris123]

Honestly it depends on the maroon pair, i have had pairs that were peaceful, just plan to stock the tank around the clowns. Your mileage may vary though

 

[exnisstech]

My gold stripe pair took over half of a 6ft 150g tank. I couldn't even put coral in their area because the female would rip them off the rocks when I tried glueing them down.

 

[KrisReef]

My gold stripe pair took over half of a 6ft 150g tank. I couldn't even put coral in their area because the female would rip them off the rocks when I tried glueing them down.

My pair killed clams, corals, and many, many frags and rocks that were 10X her weight got carried into the graveyard where she deposited anything she didn't want around her anemone. Clowns are now in my fish tank because she wasn't reef safe.

 

[Koty]

Big Nay!!!!!! When fully grown females are very aggressive probably causes all the carpet surfing events in my tank, as well as the death of newly introduced fish. Also, my female maroon does not let me add new corals without a fight. If I do not sit with my hand in the tank for 30 minutes, she pushes them and breaks them apart. That witch also regularly breaks my green and red montiporas, not letting them grow. Thus, part of my tank looks like a coral junkyard. Maybe it looks natural, but still very frustrating.

 

[Koty]

My pair killed clams, corals, and many, many frags and rocks that were 10X her weight got carried into the graveyard where she deposited anything she didn't want around her anemone. Clowns are now in my fish tank because she wasn't reef safe.

Maroons are not reef safe and not fish safe as well.

 

[PharmrJohn]

That is a beautiful specimen. One of my favorite fish. I had one full grown in a 90g and it did well enough. S/he mostly hung out in his anenome and chilled. It was the tank boss, no question, but there were no deaths involved. In a 45, I think it would be a different story. I would avoid, unfortunately.

 

[Koty]

Forgot to add about 4 anemones killed due to constant harassments

 

[Naso180!]

Have had my Maroons for over a decade. Definitely nasty fish but my absolute favorite clowns. I say go for it just be prepared to adjust to them.

 

[PacoPetty]

I just got this mated pair and they’re going in a 65 gallon tank.

 

[PacoPetty]

I just got this mated pair and they’re going in a 65 gallon tank.

 

[Marine Betta]

Just set up a 50g tank, 36”x18”x19”. The plan is a bare bottom SPS dominated reef. I’m going to do a fish-less Dr. Tims cycle. And after that start adding some fish. I’m gonna want some utility fish such as 6-line wrasse and filefish maybe a tang. But I really want a pair of lightning Maroon clowns. My question is that size tank going to cause them to be too territorial with the other fish? I’ve tried to make my aquascape with tons of caves and habitat. So what’s your opinion?

Pictures are my tank aquascape and an internet pic of my clownfish inspiration :)


View attachment 20260201_194542_70E36EC2-63C5-4E52-BAC3-1C1DAC770E58.mov

Maroons are one of my favorite clowns, but they are also one of the most aggressive. I have had a pair in 75 gallon with other fish. The female was territorial, but I don’t recall her killing any tank mates. Given how territorial they can be, especially when spawning, I would say it’s 50/50. It will depend on their personalities too I think. You could run into the same problem with any other species of clownfish. The six line should be able to hold its own though regardless. Most tangs would probably be ok with the maroons. The filefish is questionable, and they typically end up going after coral anyway.

 

[JumboShrimp]

In viewing the video of your 50-gallon, I can see the Maroon pair making that tank their home. And I do mean "THEIR" home. Period. As others have hinted at, it seems risky unless you are OK with them having few-if-any tank mates.