Clownfish contained by cycling container?

Okay my dad and i went to our normal petstore when we saw it was close for thanksgiving so we go to this other petstore(3 miles away) and i picked up some more live rock and some other testing stuff(Prosphate) they asked me is my tank cycled or not? and i answered "nop not yet" he said you should add 2 clownfish to them ...and i be thinking can clownfish survive the cycle? and now im really curious if they can...can someone help me.And MAYBE MAYBE whether they can, can i add them to mine tank?
20 gallon saltwater cycling,with live rock
ammonia = 0
nitrite= 3.0-5.0
nitrate = 5-10
ph - 8.0-8.2
thank you

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3-5ppm of nitrite will kill them in a situation of days.. wait for the nitrite spike to end

any store that will tell you to tag on fish to a cycling tank is just looking for money...

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Honestly, they should be okay.
Just do small(1-2 gallon) water changes everyday until your tank is finished cycling, basically as a precaution. It looks like you are past the ammonia stage(the most dangerous) and you already have some nitrates, which is a well-mannered start. I have two clownfish of my own, and I have heard that they are unanimously pretty hardy.

But, although they should be okay, you need to know something.
Never buy on impulse.
Research is key, particularly to salt water, and you need to read up past you do anything else.

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I wouldn't... If anything, buy some cheap damsels. $35 for a fish that will most likely die isn't a good view.

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just let it cycle near the live rock in there for now. I know it is so appealing to add stuff right away, but you should really wait a few weeks past adding anything. putting two clows in a cycling tank is kinda cruel, not to mention more expensive. Just hold patience. wait at least 3 weeks. affix one fish at a time and be sure not to overfeed.

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Personally I think it would be cruel to add clownfish at this point. The fish will end up near burnt gills. Wait till the tank finishes cycling. THe live rock is really all you involve to help the cycling. I know it is a pain, but if you hang around till the cycling is finished, you will have a better chance of the fish thriving in the cistern. If the fish end up with burnt gills, they will die a slow and throbbing death.

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No clownfish are prone to whitespot in discouraging water conditions.
The petstore guy is an idiot.

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Answers:    If you be to do a water change and bring your nitrites down yes they can go into the reservoir. Clowns are very hearty fish here.

Honestly I would go for a few guppies or mollies whether you are looking to cycle faster. You may have to acclamate them a bit longer but they will help cycle the tank much faster. Save your money on the clowns until the nitrites are underneath control.

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