Clown fish paring

[choward1980]

I have a 29 gallon biocube with 21 lbs of live rock, black and white clown, orange and whit clown, yellow clown golby, and a pink tip Anemone. My black and white clown died this morning. I want to get another orange and white. The tow were not a pair. How would I pair the new one with the old one if I decide to get one.

 

[ChrisKey]

I think you just have to put a new clown in the tank and let nature do its thing. Your current fish looks smaller so it appears to still be a male. This is good because it doesn't matter what size clownfish you add because one of them will show dominance and turn into a female. Odds are on your side that they will pair but I don't know any "proven" techniques to force clownfish to pair. I know some people have placed them together in a smaller tank (10g) and have then at closer quarters so they can't establish their own territory and remain separated. But remember that they may fight and you have to watch them because they will not always pair and will not co-exist.

 

[choward1980]

Is it ok to just have one clown fish or do I need 2 of them.

 

[Intricateart]

I agree with ChrisKey. Jut make sure they are the same type and as they grow they will pair up.If you get them an anemone known for hosting clowns that would help things,as I see a condy anemone. Don't get me wrong,we have a pair of clowns that are young and they won't leave their temporary condy,there is a lonely carpet anemone at the other end

.

 

[choward1980]

I have a pink tip anemone now. What kind of anemone should I get and can I keep the pi k tip as well.

 

[ChrisKey]

You certainly can keep 1 but having a pair interact and host an anemone is cool too. Any type of ocellaris can be added with him (black and white, snowflake, Picasso, regular ocellaris, etc.)

 

[Intricateart]

Our ocellaris clowns "loved" and thats putting it mildly a Sebae Anemone.

For unknown reasons we lost that anemone,very disappointed, and got them a Condylactus Anemone (Purple tipped) because they were homeless as a temporary fix. They act like the condy is their 2nd choice. Will definitely be getting them another sebae. We have a Striped Carpet Anemone but it seems to have a stronger sting and they are not interested,time will tell. The clowns seem much happier with an anemone,than without.

 

[choward1980]

So if I just get another clown about the same size they should be fine. I plan on adding a anemone in about a month after I ad the 2nd clown. Should this be fine. Thanks for all your responses. I'm new to this hobby and I'm learning a lot on here.

 

[blue.flyzz]

I had a 3 1/2" female and 2 1/2 male ocellaris pair, my male died.....I bought a new tiny ocellaris and they paired in 1 day

 

[SudzFD]

I would recommend getting a clownfish that is slightly smaller than the one you have if you can. That way if yours is starting to change into a female, then it is more likely the one you buy is still male. My female is more than twice the size of my male and I bought them at the same time and about the same size. IF you ever buy two again, take your time picking them out. I picked one that seemed dominant in the tank and one that seemed happy to submit to that dominance. I had to watch them for like 30 minutes, but it was worth it as they paired immediately. Best of luck!