Lost a clownfish and need advice

[wintrmte]

Hi all -

I recently lost a clownfish — literally. I had 6, now I’m down to 5. I suspect it might have passed away but I cannot find it anywhere in my tank. I haven’t completely dismantled my tank but I looked in all the open areas.

My question - if I can’t find it and it did in fact pass a way, I’m assuming the crabs and snails will take care of it. Anything I need to be concerned about with ammonia?

I haven’t given up finding it yet, but it isn’t looking good.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Yup. CUCs cleanup crews are just that. Nothing goes unnoticed with them! Sorry about your loss. One crazy thing with clownfish is that if they were all born together. I’ve seen it done long term. Same time. Same parents, they would have a good chance of living together. In our lfs that probably isn’t going to happen. And if we bring 6 clownfish home…….long story short. We’re going to ultimately end up with just two clowns. It is often recommended to only have two clownfish at a time. Something to consider as you move forward. Good luck.

 

[jabberwock]

I recommend not having any clownfish. Ever. They are or become extremely aggressive. Unless you have a pretty big tank. Like 70 gallons or more.

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

I recommend not having any clownfish. Ever. They are or become extremely aggressive. Unless you have a pretty big tank. Like 70 gallons or more.

The longer I have my clown, the more I am inclined to agree with this. Solo or a pair of clowns in 50 g or less down to a min of 15 gallons for either. (Someone is gonna have to clean up some of that hyperbole, it's thick).

In 7 years the only fish I have been able to keep with mine, in any tank are a valentini puffer, pink streaked goby, neon goby. That's it.

But, I have to give some clown credit where it's due, mine at least, eats the little algea eating flatworms. Loves em. Grazes their population to nothing, they come back, she grazes back to almost extinct. I hate those worms. She's the only fish, invert, or treatment that has impacted them.

 

[wintrmte]

Thank you for your replies! We have a 160g tank so I figured it would be ok. I’m wondering if I shouldn’t capture three of them and take them to the LFS and have them sell them?

I Would like to try and avoid more loss.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

2 clowns per tank is the general rule. I've never tried to keep more than 2 myself since I've always heard bad stories about them killing each other off until only one or two remain.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I have 2 in my tank and will always have a limit of 2, no matter my tank size.

 

[wintrmte]

Just to update - we ended up catching 3 of the 5 clown fish and took them to our trusted LFS to have them sell the fish.


Thanks again for the replies!

 

[littlefoxx]

Hi all -

I recently lost a clownfish — literally. I had 6, now I’m down to 5. I suspect it might have passed away but I cannot find it anywhere in my tank. I haven’t completely dismantled my tank but I looked in all the open areas.

My question - if I can’t find it and it did in fact pass a way, I’m assuming the crabs and snails will take care of it. Anything I need to be concerned about with ammonia?

I haven’t given up finding it yet, but it isn’t looking good.

How big is the tank and why do you have 6?

Edit: I just saw you caught 3