Clownfish Monopoly

[Reef GE]

150 gallon mixed reef tank.

One sailfin tang and one social/fairy wrasse.

I live overseas and due to corona we have not been able to get fish imported since March. I bought the tank alread established in the spring.

The only fish around are clowns (captive bred). Tomato, Saddleback, and regular clowns which shipped in yesterday. We don’t know if/when the borders will open up again.

Since I’m sitting on a basically empty 150 gallon tank my question is:

Can I house multiple clown pairs or a group of the same species in my tank? I know the rule of thumb is one pair per tank but since mine is so large is it possible to house several pairs if they all have their own space? I bought two saddlebacks and two ocellaris clowns. But would like to get 3/4 more occelaris or add a pair of tomatoes. I have a second tank I could move a pair to if they became aggressive in the future? They are all captive bred babies (1 inch) and if I raise them together???? I don’t want a harem tank but would like 6-8 total....partly because I love clowns. Partly because I have no idea when Ill be able to get more fish.

 

[Reef GE]

bump

 

[Ron Reefman]

I have a 90g tank (36" x 30" x 20") and I had to move clowns to keep the peace. Not even 2 pair in a 90g DT. I think it can be done, but my attempt failed miserably.

 

[Reef GE]

I have a 90g tank (36" x 30" x 20") and I had to move clowns to keep the peace. Not even 2 pair in a 90g DT. I think it can be done, but my attempt failed miserably.

Which clown species?

 

[ThePurple12]

In my experience, no. Especially not if you mix species.

Sorry about your situation by the way.

 

[Reef GE]

In my experience, no. Especially not if you mix species.

Sorry about your situation by the way.

I was afraid you all would say that. I hope my two pairs can coexist. They are all still babies so no worries yet.

 

[92Miata]

YMMV.


My wife had a pair of Pink Skunks and a pair of Percula in a 135 for years. They did fine together. That tank had about a dozen BTAs in it though - and clowns seem to hold way less territory when they're in an anemone.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I was afraid you all would say that. I hope my two pairs can coexist. They are all still babies so no worries yet.

I had 4 different versions of ocellaris clowns that were all young. They had been kept in 2 different tanks, a pair in each, while very young. They were all still small when introduced to my 90g tank. They stayed as separate pairs for several weeks before they stared to mingle. Then one took over and started to seriously harass two of the others. It must have made the transition to female and had picked a mate as she left one of the other alone. I collected the female and the one she didn't pick on and they are doing OK in a 16g rock flower anemone tank. It took 4 or 5 days before the two left behind started roaming the tank again. One hid in a batch of zoas for 2 or 3 days and only barely came out to eat! They seem fine now.

 

[Reef GE]

I had 4 different versions of ocellaris clowns that were all young. They had been kept in 2 different tanks, a pair in each, while very young. They were all still small when introduced to my 90g tank. They stayed as separate pairs for several weeks before they stared to mingle. Then one took over and started to seriously harass two of the others. It must have made the transition to female and had picked a mate as she left one of the other alone. I collected the female and the one she didn't pick on and they are doing OK in a 16g rock flower anemone tank. It took 4 or 5 days before the two left behind started roaming the tank again. One hid in a batch of zoas for 2 or 3 days and only barely came out to eat! They seem fine now.

I wanted to keep them all in the same tank from the beginning. 4-5 ocellaris and 2 saddlebacks. My thought was that one would become female and one male while the rest stayed subordinant in roles waiting for one of the bosses to go.

 

[terraincognita]

I wanted to keep them all in the same tank from the beginning. 4-5 ocellaris and 2 saddlebacks. My thought was that one would become female and one male while the rest stayed subordinant in roles waiting for one of the bosses to go.

Clownfish share their sea anemone homes when space is limited

Clownfish share their sea anemone homes when space is limited, say Australian researchers. They have found that multiple species of clownfish live together in the same host anemone and divide up the space, pushing more subordinate species to the periphery.

phys.org

I think you potientially could CREATE an environment this could be feasible.

But it would also involve a few Carpet and BTA's.

 

[terraincognita]

Clownfish share their sea anemone homes when space is limited

Clownfish share their sea anemone homes when space is limited, say Australian researchers. They have found that multiple species of clownfish live together in the same host anemone and divide up the space, pushing more subordinate species to the periphery.

phys.org

I think you potientially could CREATE an environment this could be feasible.

But it would also involve a few Carpet and BTA's.

You can also definitely create a Harem of the same species, but I think 5 or 6 minimum is needed for a harem tank and absolutely most positively nems.

 

[Reef GE]

You can also definitely create a Harem of the same species, but I think 5 or 6 minimum is needed for a harem tank and absolutely most positively nems.

I only have one large carpet and one bta plus lots of toadstool leathers.

 

[terraincognita]

Depending how big the Gig is that may be fine for all 1 species harem.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=clownfish+harem

Watch the BRS series on the Harem here.

Browse around here

Anemone & Clownfish Discussion

Discuss Ocellaris, Percula, Maroon, Tomato, Cinnamon, Pink Skunk, Clarkii, as well as designer clownfish such as Picasso, Snowcasso, Onyx, Platinum, Snowflake, etc. Also discuss anemones such as Bulb Tip, Long Tentacle, Ritteri, Sebae, Carpet, Tube, and more.

www.reef2reef.com

I'm sure you can get some better idea of what will work and whats wont

I'm really unsure about the multiple species other than the few who have commented here. Seems like you'd have to be willing to try it out and return fish if something goes wrong in all honesty.