Clownfish Pair? Good or bad idea?

[Sharkbait19]

Hi,
Planning my stocking list for my fluval evo 13.5, I am caught between a pair of ocellaris clowns, or just a clownfish and a yellowtail damsel (I know most of you probably hate damsels, but I think they’re really fun to watch at the store). I know of ways to suppress the damsel’s aggression, but have been advised to do a clown pair over a damsel. I do really like the look of clown pairs, but equally want the damselfish. My question - what is the likelihood that a clownfish pair will breed? Are they a good idea, or will they act like a pair of cichlids beating up all the other gobies I have planned?

 

[ichthyogeek]

The likelihood is based off of the clowns themselves. Ocellaris are fairly easy to breed, but I think it takes about 6-12 months in order for them to sexually mature. Then they'll breed based off of diet, temperature, water quality, and probably some other factors I'm forgetting.

Clownfish are fairly site oriented fish, so as long as the gobies stay away from the spawning site, they won't get beaten up, but it depends on the goby species.

 

[rwreef]

I think 13.5g is too small for a pair of clowns. As for breeding the likelyhood of it occurring is probably 50/50 and not something that happens fast.

 

[Lowlandreef]

If you really want to get a yellowtail damsel, you should get it. Personally I would go for a clown pair because they're just awesome haha. Clowns don't get aggressive IME, so that shouldn't be a problem with your gobies. clownfish pairs don't breed very often I think, but that's not my expertise.
From what I've heard yellowtail damsels can get aggressive, but I wouldn't let that stop you if you want one. A lot of new reefers have them, so you will be good I think.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Thanks! I definitely would be just as entertained by the damsel as I would the clowns pair, but I just didn’t want to risk the possibility of babies. I already have a freshwater tank overrun by a hundred krib cichlids when I initially bought two!

 

[Lowlandreef]

Thanks! I definitely would be just as entertained by the damsel as I would the clowns pair, but I just didn’t want to risk the possibility of babies. I already have a freshwater tank overrun by a hundred krib cichlids when I initially bought two!

If your clown pair would for some reason start to breed, you can probably sell them for good money since there are enough people that want them

If you like damsels in general, you can also look into a blue/green chromis. They are really pretty and peaceful. They are very active open water swimmers just like other damsels, which is really nice IMO.

 

[DracoKat]

My female clown gets really aggressive towards me. She would physically attack me if I get too close to her nesting area, lol.

but I love them, so much personality!

 

[Sharkbait19]

If you like damsels in general, you can also look into a blue/green chromis. They are really pretty and peaceful. They are very active open water swimmers just like other damsels, which is really nice IMO.

I particularly like the yellowtail damsel mainly for their color. I don’t know why, but their blue is just striking, and their bright yellow tail just looks great to me.

 

[Tamberav]

Thanks! I definitely would be just as entertained by the damsel as I would the clowns pair, but I just didn’t want to risk the possibility of babies. I already have a freshwater tank overrun by a hundred krib cichlids when I initially bought two!

Clown babies will hatch and then die in the tank and become food. They will not make it to adult in a reef tank. You need a seperate tank and specialized food for raising them.

It is also not something that happens easily in a nano as you have to feed the clowns correctly and a lot for them to get into spawning condition. Most people are probably not dumping enough food or the right food in a 13g for such things.

Personally I would get the damsel...I have two and they are brilliantly colored and entertaining.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Personally I would get the damsel...I have two and they are brilliantly colored and entertaining.

I’m thinking that too. I’ll probably do the damsel last just to avoid any chances of territory disputes.

 

[Lowlandreef]

I particularly like the yellowtail damsel mainly for their color. I don’t know why, but their blue is just striking, and their bright yellow tail just looks great to me.

I understand, they look really cool! Just go for the yellowtail damsel
Like you already mentioned in the post above here it would be wise to add the damsel last, that will help a lot with aggression. You can also always put a mirror to the tank to reduce the aggression.
I look forward to your tank so will definitely follow your build thread

 

[Sharkbait19]

I understand, they look really cool! Just go for the yellowtail damsel
Like you already mentioned in the post above here it would be wise to add the damsel last, that will help a lot with aggression. You can also always put a mirror to the tank to reduce the aggression.
I look forward to your tank so will definitely follow your build thread

Thanks! I look forward to giving updates soon! I’ll probably build up my clean up crew soon, and will add my first fish once everything looks stable (which so far everything is good)

 

[DSEKULA]

Even if the clowns breed the fry won't survive unless you purposely rear them, they need low flow, and lots of tiny live food. Look up clownfish breeding and you'll see what I mean. Clown fish are damsels btw. I have two occys, two clarkies, and an azure in my 155 they all have a certain amount of agresion but generally claim their space and that's it unless you get one that decides the entire tank is theirs. Either way can work I'd get what you want.

 

[pseudorand]

Clowns don't get aggressive IME

I have clarkii clowns rather than ocellaris, but mine are about as aggressive as I can imagine. They bully any new fish in the tank and take bites out of my hand when I gravel vacuum. Real jerks (but still fun to watch). I don't have the heart to just dump them at my LFS, but they do severely limit my stocking options.

 

[Lowlandreef]

I have clarkii clowns rather than ocellaris, but mine are about as aggressive as I can imagine. They bully any new fish in the tank and take bites out of my hand when I gravel vacuum. Real jerks (but still fun to watch). I don't have the heart to just dump them at my LFS, but they do severely limit my stocking options.

My black ice clowns are very well behaved. They sometimes nibble on my fingers but that's just when they want food. They are great with all my fish, and I never had any problems with them. I personally haven't experienced aggressive clowns (against other fish) at my friends too. That's why I put IME behind it

 

[Sharkbait19]

I have clarkii clowns rather than ocellaris, but mine are about as aggressive as I can imagine. They bully any new fish in the tank and take bites out of my hand when I gravel vacuum. Real jerks (but still fun to watch). I don't have the heart to just dump them at my LFS, but they do severely limit my stocking options.

Yeah I’ve also had aggressive fish, but never have the heart to say goodbye to them. The only time I ever had to get rid of fish was with three red belly pacu and three leporinus in my old fw tank. I pretty much had enough with those psychopaths, having destroyed every tankmate short of a silver dollar I nicknamed “lucky”. I do miss them though, those little monsters.

 

[Cannons Fish]

I have a clown pair and I love them. IMO they have the most personality out of any saltwater fish. I also have an azure damsel and he is fun to watch swim around, But I would choose the clown Pair.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Another question: royal grammas? I’ve always loved them and wanted them but always assumed they were not good for a nano tanks. Is that true?
Also, I was considering a scooter blenny but see that their diet is a little complicated. Is that also true?

 

[najer]

I run an Evo 13.5 as well as my big tank, I have never had a damsel in my big tank due to their reputation, just my opinion but putting it in an evo it will become very territorial.
I like the idea of a scooter but let the tank mature like 6 - 12 months and seed it well with pods.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Thanks!