Getting back into saltwater, clown question

ajorcutt · Mar 11, 2023

It's been a number of years since my last tank. Recent set up is FOWLR. Up and running for about 5 months, now. I have a black ocellaris clown who was one of the first fish. A couple questions: At It's age(4 mos.), would the clown have changed to female? If so, what are the chances if I add a juvenile male they would form a pair bond?

Peace River · Mar 11, 2023

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

vetteguy53081 · Mar 11, 2023

danenelsen · Mar 11, 2023

Welcome! I'm not an expert, but from what I understand it might depend on the size of the clowns...

fishguy242 · Mar 11, 2023

Hi ,welcome to the reef...

dstockwell · Mar 11, 2023

Welcome to the Reef

vetteguy53081 · Mar 11, 2023

ajorcutt said:
It's been a number of years since my last tank. Recent set up is FOWLR. Up and running for about 5 months, now. I have a black ocellaris clown who was one of the first fish. A couple questions: At It's age(4 mos.), would the clown have changed to female? If so, what are the chances if I add a juvenile male they would form a pair bond?

They are capable of changing sexes and very well may have and with adding a juvenile clown, If it hasnt changed sexes, it will and either bond or display clown hierarchy being the more dominant than the male. They become greedy and try to eat most of the food that gets into the tank (which is one reason the males don't grow as large). They often aggressively protect their home whether that be an anemone, a nesting site, a clay pot or the entire fish tank.

JZ199 · Mar 11, 2023

Welcome!!

Fish Styx · Mar 11, 2023

Greetings and welcome to the reef. If it hasn't yet, it will when you add a smaller one.

JC1977 · Mar 11, 2023

tbrown · Mar 11, 2023

ajorcutt said:
It's been a number of years since my last tank. Recent set up is FOWLR. Up and running for about 5 months, now. I have a black ocellaris clown who was one of the first fish. A couple questions: At It's age(4 mos.), would the clown have changed to female? If so, what are the chances if I add a juvenile male they would form a pair bond?

Welcome! I have a 3 year old clownfish that "broke out of jail" and joined my two young clowns. I was worried at first but they've been doing great for 5 months now. With that said, I've heard plenty of horror stories as well. The female may choose to kill the male or she may accept him. We never know until it happens.

Reeflix · Mar 11, 2023

WELCOME! the clown might not change to a female until another clownfish is added. i am not an expert so i am not certain about this

marcinpolak · Mar 11, 2023

CoralB · Mar 11, 2023

Welcome !!!

ajorcutt · Mar 11, 2023

Thanks for everybody's advice. Glad to be here!

Mjl714 · Mar 11, 2023

Welcome to R2R.

I‘ve had the best outcomes when adding clowns by adding an immature clownfish, definitely not a female. I also use an acclimation box for several days, which I think helps with the likelihood of success. Good luck.