Fish that form bonds?

[john.m.cole3]

we all know that clown fish will bond and change sex, but what are other species that do this as well. Others I see are anthias... Do all fish get born one sex and transform to a different sex depending on who is more dominant? Please name the ones you know that do!

 

[nolaron]

I just know of anthias and clowns as well, but this curious mind is following

 

[eatbreakfast]

Anthias change sex, but don't form bonds, as do wrasses.

Most angels and butterflies form bonds, some tangs do, as do firefish, bangaii cardinals, clown and watchman gobies, and marine bettas.

 

[john.m.cole3]

That's good info. I got to thinking after seeing @atoll post about his tank and how he likes to keep multiples of the same spexies in his tank. will most fish do ok together if added as juveniles at the same time?

 

[eatbreakfast]

That's good info. I got to thinking after seeing @atoll post about his tank and how he likes to keep multiples of the same spexies in his tank. will most fish do ok together if added as juveniles at the same time?

The suitability of keeping multiples of the same species can vary greatly. Some do well, some can be challenging.

For the most part anthias do well in groups at a ratio of one male to three to five females.

Wrasses, though haremic in the wild, are better suited of one specimen per species, as females tend to transition into males, and males of the same species can fight.

Firefish and bangaii cardinals are best acquired as bonded prs, as bonding them on your own can prove difficult.

Most gobies are easy to pr without much issue.

Butterflies and angels are best paired as juveniles, as they get far more aggressive toward one another as they get older.

Of the tangs that bond, I would only attempt it in very large tanks and as young individuals.

 

[eatbreakfast]

That's good info. I got to thinking after seeing @atoll post about his tank and how he likes to keep multiples of the same spexies in his tank. will most fish do ok together if added as juveniles at the same time?

The suitability of keeping multiples of the same species can vary greatly. Some do well, some can be challenging.

For the most part anthias do well in groups at a ratio of one male to three to five females.

Wrasses, though haremic in the wild, are better suited of one specimen per species, as females tend to transition into males, and males of the same species can fight.

Firefish and bangaii cardinals are best acquired as bonded prs, as bonding them on your own can prove difficult.

Most gobies are easy to pr without much issue.

Butterflies and angels are best paired as juveniles, as they get far more aggressive toward one another as they get older.

Of the tangs that bond, I would only attempt it in very large tanks and as young individuals.

 

[john.m.cole3]

Thanks! View do you feel about clown fish. I have 1 med to LG female percula already, could I add 3 juveniles? I have 2 BTAS if that matters.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Thanks! View do you feel about clown fish. I have 1 med to LG female percula already, could I add 3 juveniles? I have 2 BTAS if that matters.

It usually is ok if all the new ones are juveniles, but some females can be inordinately aggressive.

 

[JakeK]

Not really a bond, but I have a flame angel and a cherub angel and when the flame starts pestering the cherub my exquisite fairy wrasse will break it up then swim with the cherub for a while. This is consistent behavior. BTW, the cherub and exquisite have been in the tank together longer than all the other fish.

 

[NeiDan]

Jawfish will bond as well. Mated pairs can be found living in the same burrow in the wild and they'll often pair in tanks as well (one of my LFS says that they regularly get large batches of yellowheads which will pair off before their sold)

 

[eatbreakfast]

Jawfish will bond as well. Mated pairs can be found living in the same burrow in the wild and they'll often pair in tanks as well (one of my LFS says that they regularly get large batches of yellowheads which will pair off before their sold)

But jawfish don't maintain bonded prs. Once mating is done they will leave one another, or switch partners if a more desirable one comes along.

 

[NeiDan]

But jawfish don't maintain bonded prs. Once mating is done they will leave one another, or switch partners if a more desirable one comes along.

Huh you learn something new every day. In an enclosed environment like our tanks I would imagine the bond is maintained, at least.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Huh you learn something new every day. In an enclosed environment like our tanks I would imagine the bond is maintained, at least.

When I had a colony of yellow head jaws in a 150 a few years ago the female would share a burrow for a few days, then go to her own, then share again, then go back to her own, she was always on the move.