Have any advice for anyone wanting to start their own circus?
A good way to do it is:
- Juvenile clowns from the same clutch
- All the same size (any size difference will turn into aggression)
- Be prepared to watch closely every day, and be prepared to remove any that are either too aggressive or getting picked on by everyone
- Get at least 5, more if your tank can handle the bioload
- Establish a natural anemone host at least a few weeks before (multiple anemones would also work). H. magnifica is a beautiful one, hardy (after successful import and treatment).
I didn't get all clowns from the same clutch, and I even got a bonded pair to try to keep hierarchy aggression down for the top two spots (female and alpha male). Not sure if this is the best idea, as I've had to remove two clowns (one was too big and a threat to the female and alpha, the other was hardcore picking on two of the other small males because it was slightly bigger than them). Overall, I think getting 1" or smaller clowns from the same clutch probably would've been easier. I'll probably need to remove one more clown soon =/
Definitely do not:
- Mix species (even percula and ocellaris)
- Get all different sizes
- Get older / larger clowns unless trying the bonded pair hierarchy thing
- Get wild clowns, best bet if they're all captive bred
When to know to remove a clown:
- If multiple clowns are picking on it hard. Like chasing it into corners, not letting it eat ever, and nipping fins
- If one clown is picking on one specific other clown, or a few others enough to start tattering their fins and keeping them from eating. Remove that aggressive clown. That one will most likely be slightly larger than the ones he's picking on. If this aggressive clown, however, gets along with the majority of others, might be best to remove the clowns he's picking on the most
- If one clown stays in the corner by itself, never eating, he's given up. Remove him.
When I say "REMOVE," I mean find it a better home. So before you decide to do this, make sure there are enough reefer friends around you who would probably adopt one. Don't expect to make money off of these, and just give them away or for a very very reasonable price. You have to be ready to take quite a hit on your investment. IF that's worth it to you, then go for it.
Have isolation boxes ready. clowns are easy to catch in a net, and just place them in the box. Don't keep them in the box for more than 3 - 4 hours, because they will rub their faces off on the walls of the box trying to get out (they're dumb). Within 3-4 hours, you should have sold / given them away, or let them back out.
Timeouts will NOT WORK. They will go right back to their normal behavior.
That's pretty cool! And beautiful clown. Where did you end up ordering from if you don't mind me asking?
