How to select mate for current clownfish

Eva Rose · Jun 27, 2016

I have a clownfish that was labeled as a 'Gladiator ' Ocellaris clown. He is black/white with an orange snout.
I would like to obtain a mate for him.
Could I pair him with a snowflake clown-since it is an Ocellaris?
Should I try to get a clown smaller or larger than my current clown?
Is it best to try 1 clown or add 3 and let them choose pairing?

Quah · Jun 27, 2016

You can choose any other Ocellaris type of clownfish they will pair up as long as the new addition you are pairing is smaller than the one you are pairing it with. Also if you choose a smaller Ocellaris make sure it is in a tank of multiple clowns. A clown on its own can very quickly become a female and then pairing the two would be impossible. I'd suggest using an acclimation box also, but may not be necessary. I paired a large maroon Goldstripe with a very small Goldnugget juvenile and the pairing went perfectly with maybe only 2 hours in a Kritter Keeper box next to her RBTA. Ocellaris are far easier to pair.

eatbreakfast · Jun 28, 2016

^Agreed completely. Anything within the complex of species and fancy varieties derived from them.

Smaller specimens are better to pr to an existing fish.

Eva Rose · Jun 28, 2016

Appreciate all the advice. Is there any advantage trying 1 smaller juvi in the tank over 3 smaller juveniles?
Or would the 3 smaller juveniles be preferable?

BoneXriffic · Jun 28, 2016

I had luck adding a larger one when i did this with the snowy onyx. I was worried if the existing clown was larger she would beat the new edition up too badly. They became a pair near instantly.

eatbreakfast · Jun 28, 2016

They are colonial, so as long as the new fish are juveniles they will be accepted. However, in smaller tanks once the pr begins to spawn, there will be increased aggression.

BoneXriffic said:
I had luck adding a larger one when i did this with the snowy onyx. I was worried if the existing clown was larger she would beat the new edition up too badly. They became a pair near instantly.

While it is possible for it to work out this way, if the existing clown has already transitioned to a female, they will not tolerate one another.