Can clown be happy alone?

Mariette · Jun 8, 2019

I got a single clownfish. I planned to get her a partner. But she’s a atypical clown that harasses me mercilessly every time I stick my hand in the tank. I’m not looking forward to having to fight off 2 of them every week. So, what do u think? Can it be happy w out a partner?

Mariette · Jun 8, 2019

I should add that she’s currently in a 20g and will be joining my 110g once she’s been qt’d. Any chance I can expect her to chill out in the larger tank? As in she will have a space she protects but otherwise is ok?

Mariette · Jun 9, 2019

Bump? Anyone?

Jake_the_reefer · Jun 9, 2019

Clowns tend to be happier in pair and more active. But you do not have to have pairs. It's normal for a female to harrass new fish until she gets use to them. It's just their attitude of wanting everyone to know who is boss

tupes · Jun 9, 2019

She'll be fine. One of my LFS had a single clown for several years in a 30 gallon bio cube.

And yes if you get a second you'll just be battling 2 at a time.

Mariette · Jun 9, 2019

Yikes. I’m starting to think she’s gonna have to stay in the 20g Display fuge until I have my other fish settled in.

Jay Z · Jun 9, 2019

They are monsters. Just be lucky she doesn’t have teeth.

Fish don’t know happiness. Just people. We screw everything up by trying to analyze a animals feelings.

tupes · Jun 9, 2019

So I re-read your post. So the 20g is a QT tank and permanent home is the 110?

Happier with 2 yes but not needed. Itll probably still go after your hands in the 110.

I'm currently planning on putting 2 baby clowns in a 10 gallon tank.

Peace River · Jun 9, 2019

Mariette said:
I got a single clownfish. I planned to get her a partner. But she’s a atypical clown that harasses me mercilessly every time I stick my hand in the tank. I’m not looking forward to having to fight off 2 of them every week. So, what do u think? Can it be happy w out a partner?

What type of clown? Some species are more aggressive than others. One clownfish by itself should be fine, but attempting again to pair your fish with another small clown seems to be preferable to the fish (if they can make it through the establishing dominance phases).

Aardvark1134 · Jun 9, 2019

Clowns are like people some want to be in a pair and some want to live alone.
But don't worry as long as it's not a maroon or a tomato it's bites don't hurt much.

Mariette · Jun 9, 2019

tupes said:
So I re-read your post. So the 20g is a QT tank and permanent home is the 110?

Happier with 2 yes but not needed. Itll probably still go after your hands in the 110.

I'm currently planning on putting 2 baby clowns in a 10 gallon tank.

Correct.

Really?!? Wow they’re little buggers aren’t they? I was hoping it would chill out in the bigger tank.

Mariette · Jun 9, 2019

tupes said:
She'll be fine. One of my LFS had a single clown for several years in a 30 gallon bio cube.

And yes if you get a second you'll just be battling 2 at a time.

Lovely

Aardvark1134 · Jun 9, 2019

In the 110 it will likely only go after your hand when you get within about 1 ft of whatever it decides to call it's house...but some are just insane

Mariette · Jun 9, 2019

Peace River said:
What type of clown? Some species are more aggressive than others. One clownfish by itself should be fine, but attempting again to pair your fish with another small clown seems to be preferable to the fish (if they can make it through the establishing dominance phases).

The clown came as part of a whole system I purchased. I was told it’s an ocellaris but I don’t think she is. Can’t figure out what kind really

Mariette · Jun 9, 2019

Aardvark1134 said:
In the 110 it will likely only go after your hand when you get within about 1 ft of whatever it decides to call it's house...but some are just insane

So a gamble then. Do they ever just get used to ppl and not attack? Or is that just part of having clowns?

Aardvark1134 · Jun 9, 2019

Clowns are part of the damsel family. Most damsels are mean as ####. Luckily clowns only seem to be mean to each other and anything that dares come near their house. Well most the time. If yours is a real pain in the butt maybe these https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/textured-nitrile-black-fragging-gloves-sunlight-supply.html

Peace River · Jun 9, 2019

Mariette said:
The clown came as part of a whole system I purchased. I was told it’s an ocellaris but I don’t think she is. Can’t figure out what kind really

A few of the differences between ocellaris and perculas include the color of the color of the eyes, the number of the dorsal spines, and the thickness of the black lines of the body. Typically, perculas have more orange in the eyes, 10 dorsal spines (vs 11 on the ocellaris), and thicker black lines on the body. If you can get a clearer picture of the head and side then we can probably help with the ID.

Mariette · Jun 9, 2019

Aardvark1134 said:
Clowns are part of the damsel family. Most damsels are mean as ####. Luckily clowns only seem to be mean to each other and anything that dares come near their house. Well most the time. If yours is a real pain in the butt maybe these https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/textured-nitrile-black-fragging-gloves-sunlight-supply.html

That’s not a bad idea. She’s pretty small but, if she gets you at the right spot, it’s no fun. I can’t beleive I’m considering armour against a fish lol