I already have a mated pair of osceleris (don't think I spelt that right) clowns, but wanted to know if I could add another pair? If so do they have to be different and relatively same size as the two I have now? What kinds would be a good mix with the 2 I have now?
Clownfish Question
- Thread starter rush23
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Unless they are already hosting a nem and you have a large, long tank to put one on the other end with a hosting nem, you have very little chance. Especially if they are a mated pair. Once laying eggs, they are ruthless of territory.
I will have three pair in my system, but..... I have one pair hosting a bta and they have not laid yet. I have one completely different species (skunk) in the middle hosting a coral (not laying yet) and another Clakii pair that will have their own nem too. Different species, all have a host, all very far from each other in my 7 ft tank, none currently laying!
I will have three pair in my system, but..... I have one pair hosting a bta and they have not laid yet. I have one completely different species (skunk) in the middle hosting a coral (not laying yet) and another Clakii pair that will have their own nem too. Different species, all have a host, all very far from each other in my 7 ft tank, none currently laying!
Very unlikely you can add another pair. Are your current pair hosted? Are they actively laying eggs?
How long have they been together? If you add more and they haven't hosted, you are risking them being very territorial of the whole tank. Especially if they are already in the tank and happy. If not laying eggs yet, the chances are better, but really low still.
IMHO I would stick to 1 pair of clowns in anything smaller than 100g, unless they are in nems, different species, etc.
IMHO I would stick to 1 pair of clowns in anything smaller than 100g, unless they are in nems, different species, etc.
Okay. That is very different than saying a mated pair. I am not giving you a hard time, but explaining the difference with clowns because it is very important what stage the relationship is in.
Since they seem to be getting along. I assume one is larger than the other. The larger and first added should be the female. Now, if you add another ocellaris now, you risk the female choosing the new one and abusing and rejecting the current male. Happens.
Once they bond (stick together and hang out together) that is good. Then they will begin to consider mating. My occellaris are inseparable, but have not mated and they are about 1.5 years old or so. My skunks (nigripes) are that age, but they in general can take up to 4 years or more to lay eggs. Just the species. My percs are too young, but inseparable same with my clarkiis. No, these are not all in one system. The perc and clarkiis are in separate (clarkiis soon to go with the skunk and occellaris).
In a 65, I would say you should stick with one pair. Mainly because you will get some great mating behavior and not have to worry about other clowns bothering them. However, once they begin laying eggs, without a host, they will not let too many other fish into the system. So, try to get your fish added before this happens.
Since they seem to be getting along. I assume one is larger than the other. The larger and first added should be the female. Now, if you add another ocellaris now, you risk the female choosing the new one and abusing and rejecting the current male. Happens.
Once they bond (stick together and hang out together) that is good. Then they will begin to consider mating. My occellaris are inseparable, but have not mated and they are about 1.5 years old or so. My skunks (nigripes) are that age, but they in general can take up to 4 years or more to lay eggs. Just the species. My percs are too young, but inseparable same with my clarkiis. No, these are not all in one system. The perc and clarkiis are in separate (clarkiis soon to go with the skunk and occellaris).
In a 65, I would say you should stick with one pair. Mainly because you will get some great mating behavior and not have to worry about other clowns bothering them. However, once they begin laying eggs, without a host, they will not let too many other fish into the system. So, try to get your fish added before this happens.
KorD
Valuable Member
I would not risk it in a tank that small.. If you had over a 100gal I would say go for it.
I'm also doubting that the two you have right now are paired up yet.. They might be swimming and dancing, but until they lay the first batch.. I never consider them paired.
I'm also doubting that the two you have right now are paired up yet.. They might be swimming and dancing, but until they lay the first batch.. I never consider them paired.
ngvu1
Valuable Member
I would take the old pair out to the sump or something like that and put the new pair in the DT for a while like 1 or 2 weeks then add 1 of your clown back then the other one back.....If you just drop the 2 new clowns in, the mated pair of clowns will very likely be hunting the new clowns down and kill them!
