Clownfish schooling?

[Hoodstream]

So I have two snowflakes and two black and white clowns that I put in a 60. I posted a thread about compatibility and was met with a lot of people advising caution which is completely fair. However my clowns formed a school, and it’s really odd because I didn’t think clowns schooled. Quick google search said they school with a dominate female as the leader of the group but still it’s odd to see 4 clowns swimming around the tank in a group. Anyone else have a similar experience?

 

[MACHO]

So I have two snowflakes and two black and white clowns that I put in a 60. I posted a thread about compatibility and was met with a lot of people advising caution which is completely fair. However my clowns formed a school, and it’s really odd because I didn’t think clowns schooled. Quick google search said they school with a dominate female as the leader of the group but still it’s odd to see 4 clowns swimming around the tank in a group. Anyone else have a similar experience?

Very lucky I put 12 in my 200 and they killed each other there’s only 3 left of the 12

 

[Paleozoic_reefer]

More than likely they’re paired up in two couples and are copacetic for now. As they grow those couples may break-up to find another better or bigger partner and then you’ll run into issues. I tried this and every thing was great for about a year and then suddenly all hell broke loose. So now I’m down to one pair. Best of luck, I hope you cracked the code and can share your insight in the future!!

 

[blaxsun]

I've seen a tank with as many as 12 happy clownfish so it's definitely possible. Just make sure that if you do add an anemone that you add more than one...

 

[vtecintegra]

Clowns don't school. I don't know of anything common in the hobby that schools in any normal home size aquarium.

Shoaling and schooling - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Hoodstream]

Clowns don't school. I don't know of anything common in the hobby that schools in any normal home size aquarium.

Shoaling and schooling - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

This is what I thought as well so it’s just weird to see them swimming in a group of 4 traveling the whole tank together.

 

[Hoodstream]

More than likely they’re paired up in two couples and are copacetic for now. As they grow those couples may break-up to find another better or bigger partner and then you’ll run into issues. I tried this and every thing was great for about a year and then suddenly all hell broke loose. So now I’m down to one pair. Best of luck, I hope you cracked the code and can share your insight in the future!!

I should set a reminder in a year and post an update lol. Thanks for the info!

 

[Sharkbait19]

It’s not really schooling in the traditional sense (like tetras or sardines). It’s more of similar fish handing out near each other to be with something safe/familiar. This is pretty common with fish that aren’t necessary schooling fish (like tangs or cichlids). In the wild they naturally live in large groups, with a dominant pair. In the tank, one pair may or may not kill off the rest, or you will see them live as a colony.