Clownfish pair selection

jcbasile · Jul 19, 2020

So I have one snow onyx clownfish currently and I’m wondering what other clowns I can pair it with?

cd459 · Jul 19, 2020

Pretty much any other oc/perc as long as they’re different sizes. Ultimately up to you.

jcbasile · Jul 19, 2020

Okay, that’s what I thought but because it’s a mix I’m free to choose any other with size difference as the only limiter. Would it be better to get a larger one or a smaller one in terms of pairing up?

sprungson · Jul 19, 2020

jcbasile said:
Okay, that’s what I thought but because it’s a mix I’m free to choose any other with size difference as the only limiter. Would it be better to get a larger one or a smaller one in terms of pairing up?

Probably better to get smaller one, unless you know for sure your current one is not a female.

cd459 · Jul 19, 2020

jcbasile said:
Okay, that’s what I thought but because it’s a mix I’m free to choose any other with size difference as the only limiter. Would it be better to get a larger one or a smaller one in terms of pairing up?

Depends on how big ur current clown is. If it’s about an inch then you can probably safely add a larger clown.

Clowns4Life · Jul 19, 2020

Can you post a pic of your clown?

jcbasile · Jul 19, 2020

Clowns4Life said:
Can you post a pic of your clown?

Yes, I can tomorrow. I am out of town but will post a pic of him when I get back.

cd459 · Jul 19, 2020

I got my clowns about the same size and it didn’t make a difference, they got along well since day one.

sprungson · Jul 19, 2020

cd459 said:
I got my clowns about the same size and it didn’t make a difference, they got along well since day one.

I think when you get them the same size, there is a chance for more bickering and challenging for dominance. Whereas when you get different size clowns, the smaller one usually submits sooner, hence less bickering.

Alex808 · Jul 19, 2020

sprungson said:
I think when you get them the same size, there is a chance for more bickering and challenging for dominance. Whereas when you get different size clowns, the smaller one usually submits sooner, hence less bickering.

Won’t that be temporary though? I got mine from 2 different stores and they were almost the same size. The took about a day to get along and were fine after that. Been together for over a year now. Garth and Megatron.

sprungson · Jul 19, 2020

Alex808 said:
Won’t that be temporary though? I got mine from 2 different stores and they were almost the same size. The took about a day to get along and were fine after that. Been together for over a year now. Garth and Megatron.

Yeah it's temporary. I think it can just be stressful while they are hashing it out. Also I've had clowns jump out when they are hashing it out like this.

chizerbunoi · Jul 21, 2020

I think stick to the ocellaris or perculas to pair. Or another fancy designer like your current one.

jcbasile · Jul 22, 2020

Clowns4Life said:
Can you post a pic of your clown?

Here is my little friend Willard

chizerbunoi · Jul 22, 2020

He is ready for a football game.

jcbasile · Jul 22, 2020

chizerbunoi said:
He is ready for a football game.

He really is, or feeding time haha

92Miata · Jul 22, 2020

Alex808 said:
Won’t that be temporary though? I got mine from 2 different stores and they were almost the same size. The took about a day to get along and were fine after that. Been together for over a year now. Garth and Megatron.

It depends on how big they are. Two small clowns that are about the same size will figure it out. Two medium clowns may just kill each other because they've already started transitioning.

DeniseAndy · Jul 22, 2020

I have always gone with same size if under 1" and added a little guy if I lost one no matter which of the pair died. As long as the tank is large enough or room to escape the bickering, should be good.

My advise: get a smaller fish in the occe/perc or occe-perc hybrid variety.