Adding a second clownfish, big or small?

[Jonathan Troutt]

Hey guys so it is time for me to add another clownfish to my tank. I had an issue with brooklynella in the beginning and it left me with only one clownfish. So after taking the appropiate action to rid the tank of brook it is now time to introduce another clown. My question here is do I go bigger or smaller than the clown that I already have? I was thinking smaller but I wanted to hop on here and ask before I made the purchase.

The last question is my clownfish I have currently is a Ocellaris clownfish. Do I need to stick with ocellaris or can I put a percula or some designer clown in there with it?

 

[dutch27]

Is the one that's left established as male or female already? Go by that. If you know it was the female, go with a smaller juvie that will turn male. If it was the male, try to find a larger female.

 

[vanpire]

Small is always safer even if the current fish could be male. I did this several times and had no issues.

 

[OhDumb]

I've only had Percs or Ocellaris and I always go smaller and have never had much of a problem. They'll always bicker and have some spaz-dancing until the pecking order is sorted.

 

[Jonathan Troutt]

I am not sure if the one I have is female or male. I honestly dont even know how to tell. I prolly need to figure that out. Seems like small is the safe bet though. I will still try and sex it as well.

And what about introducing a non oscillaris?

 

[Baldguy]

Generally, you are not supposed to mix species. For sure it's safer to add a smaller ocellaris. If you want a different look you could always add a designer ocellaris. They will still pair up.

 

[Jonathan Troutt]

Ok cool thanks for all the help!!

 

[davocean]

Not just smaller, but small enough to assure still male, so no bigger than an inch and a quarter, and intro in an acclimation box or something that keeps separated is best really, just in case your existing refuses.

This way if yours is male it will just turn female, and it's safest in case yours is already female.

Mixing occs or percs is done all the time, and colors make no difference, so get what you want, designers or whatever.

 

[Jonathan Troutt]

Well this is the new addition. The light colored one.

 

[fishnchip]

Well this is the new addition. The light colored one.

Nice pair! You did the right thing by going with a smaller clown. It's always the safer bet! Good luck and happy reefing!!

 

[Jonathan Troutt]

Hey thanks man!! They are getting along great there was a couple pecks from the big one in the very beginning but since that they are great. I’m not sure if the big one is running the other out or what but the little one won’t go in my nem. But hey im happy with em. Glad to have two again. And glad to see that the brook I had in my tank is now gone!

 

[Lita]

Is the one that's left established as male or female already? Go by that. If you know it was the female, go with a smaller juvie that will turn male. If it was the male, try to find a larger female.

Personally I would go smaller regardless.

if the female is left adding another will obviously not be good but also if the male is left he is still the established one in the tank and will not take kindly to a big female being introduced to his territory and bossing him about . The introduced female won’t back down either so you have a situation where you are likely to have more aggression. It would be better to get a small juvenile that will accept Its rank . The existing one will have a little tantrum and show him whose boss but usually within a few hours they will settle down, this also mirrors better what happens in nature when the female dies the male will turn female and the next up in the ranks will take the place of the male.