The Maroon is the largest and most aggressive clownfish, with deep maroon-red colour and white or gold stripes.
The female grows much larger than the male and dominates the pair.
It is hardy and long-lived, but its temperament makes it unsuitable for peaceful community tanks.
Note that the former genus Premnas was merged into Amphiprion in 2021, so older sources list it as Premnas biaculeatus.
With this clownfish, size and attitude matter.
A large female harasses tankmates, nips hands during maintenance, and bullies smaller fish.
Choose it for its appearance only if you can give it space and select tankmates carefully.
Housing
Provide at least 210L (55 gal) for the adult size and territorial range, with robust live rock structure.
Keep salinity 1.024-1.026, temperature 24-27°C (75-80°F), pH 8.1-8.4, and nitrate below 20 ppm in a fully cycled system.
A secure lid prevents jumping.
Introduce a true bonded pair while young, or keep a single fish, since unbonded adults fight viciously.
Add the Maroon last so it cannot claim the whole tank before tankmates settle.
Strong, stable conditions keep this large clownfish healthy long-term.
Diet
Maroons are hearty omnivores.
Feed a marine pellet staple plus meaty frozen foods such as mysis and chopped seafood, with some algae-based food for balance.
Adults have big appetites, so feed once or twice daily without overfeeding the tank.
They accept prepared foods readily, especially captive-bred specimens.
A varied diet supports their colour and immune strength.
Soak frozen foods in vitamins occasionally and do not let uneaten food foul the water.
Health
Like all clownfish they are prone to marine ich and Brooklynella when stressed, but their hardiness makes serious illness uncommon in stable water.
Quarantine new fish and keep salinity and temperature steady to avoid outbreaks.
Watch for scratching, white spots, or laboured breathing.
Their aggression can also injure tankmates, so monitor other fish for fin damage rather than the robust Maroon itself.
Good husbandry keeps them healthy for well over a decade.
Temperament
The Maroon is the most belligerent clownfish, with females in particular defending a large territory and bullying tankmates and even the aquarist's hand.
It is reef-safe with corals but a threat to small, peaceful fish.
Keep a single fish or one young bonded pair only; never mix it with other clownfish species.
Because of its size and aggression it suits a larger, carefully stocked tank where calmer or similarly bold tankmates can hold their own.
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate