Add A Lot More Clowns?

splix · Dec 5, 2017

So I've always wanted to do a harem tank but never have. The way my tank is setup right now is some LPS corals but the tank is more focused on the fish than coral. I currently have about a dozen BTA's, but all on the same rock. My current adult osc. clown pair host/nems host whatever. They are all larger BTA's, easily 6" disc give or take a few of them, they take up a majority of the left of the tank. The issue is the current clown pair are very aggressive with the whole bta rock, it's theirs.
How bad would it be if I were to add another say 12+ larger juvenile clowns. Bioload aside, I'm open to getting rid of a few larger fish to help with that. I'm also open to adding more BTA's to the other side of the tank to slowly transform it into a full clown harem. I'm thinking with the higher number of additions, I can possibly get around targeted aggression.
Probably a stupid idea, but I figured I'd ask.

I know I have another option. Just remove the current pair, introduce new clowns, wait a couple weeks and re-introduce current adult pair.

Ideas?

kinetic · Dec 5, 2017

Search for Clown Circus thread! We talk a lot about it you’ll probably find all your answers quickly there.

splix · Dec 5, 2017

kinetic said:
Search for Clown Circus thread! We talk a lot about it you’ll probably find all your answers quickly there.

I read through it. The only one that was perfect to ask advice in that thread had his clowns taken out by brooks

. The rest are going well and look awesome, but seem like they started without an already established pair.

cwk84 · Dec 5, 2017

I'm telling ya, don't do it if you don't have a HUGE tank. Even if LFS's tell you they're all from the same clutch, it might not actually be true and once you add an anemone, which will most likely not be a super super big one like the ones you can find in the ocean, you'll run into major aggression problems 9 out ot 10 times. I'd not risk it.

splix · Dec 5, 2017

cwk84 said:
I'm telling ya, don't do it if you don't have a HUGE tank. Even if LFS's tell you they're all from the same clutch, it might not actually be true and once you add an anemone, which will most likely not be a super super big one like the ones you can find in the ocean, you'll run into major aggression problems 9 out ot 10 times. I'd not risk it.

I understand. I do already have....14 now since 2 split last week, decent size (average 6" disc) BTA's around the tank. I plan to add more if I go with it. They're about the size of a softball at night when they pull in.

We'll see what I end up doing, I'm still thinking it through. Worst case is I start with all new clowns. I know of a breeder that is close and not an LFS, so I can guarantee from him that they'll all be same clutch as well so thats another plus.

cwk84 · Dec 5, 2017

Try it. I hope it works out for you! 14 nems sounds promising.

kinetic · Dec 5, 2017

splix said:
I read through it. The only one that was perfect to ask advice in that thread had his clowns taken out by brooks . The rest are going well and look awesome, but seem like they started without an already established pair.

Well, I started with a bonded pair. Not sure if that helps. I think your bonded pair will establish the hierarchy of the smaller juveniles right away, and the aggression will probably be less since they won't need to establish the dominant one. The only problem you'll have is if the pair doesn't at all care about the little juveniles, and they'll fight for one dominant anyway.

I don't 100% believe the idea that the tank is too small. I've seen a few small tanks pull off a lot of clowns without too much problems. I think mine would have been fine if I just left the aggressor of the small group stay.