Maroon clownfish

Hilltopreef90 · May 11, 2022

I have a maroon clownfish that shares a 28 gallon cube with a lawnmower blenny
I would like to upgrade to a 50 gallon tank and wondered if I could add any new fish at that time or will the clownfish have issues with any fish added ?
Since it’ll be a new aquarium for him and more room I thought it would be a good time to add a couple more fish
If possible any suggestions on what to add ?
I only want 2-3 more fish to share the tank if I can without the clownfish trying to kill them

blaxsun · May 11, 2022

You should be fine adding some new fish (not sure about any new clownfish - they're funny that way). Not sure how large your maroon clownfish is, though.

I have 41 fish in my tank including two mocha ocellaris.

SlugSnorter · May 11, 2022

I would stay away from smaller more docile fish that could get bullied. This could be a decent opportunity to add more yeah.

Bucs20fan · May 11, 2022

In a 50g you would probably be fine with the maroon for its life, but just be wary that maroons can be nasty clowns. And thats saying something for the clown family. They get extremely territorial and will bully fish to death if action isnt taken. I would stay away from docile fish and fish that are very active and would constantly wander into the maroons territory.

JumboShrimp · May 11, 2022

The change of landscape from one tank to the other should provide the best opportunity you'll get to throw your Clown Fish off his game. Also maybe new additions that are colorful and can hold their own; a Fang Blenny comes to mind (which is not a bottom dweller, by the way-- as I see you have a Lawnmower Blenny); a Flame Hawk; or even a nice mean Damsel (lol).

SlugSnorter · May 11, 2022

Bucs20fan said:
In a 50g you would probably be fine with the maroon for its life, but just be wary that maroons can be nasty clowns. And thats saying something for the clown family. They get extremely territorial and will bully fish to death if action isnt taken. I would stay away from docile fish and fish that are very active and would constantly wander into the maroons territory.

Maybe a longnose hawkfish?

Lbrdsoxfan · May 11, 2022

If your going to add, do it when you start up the 50. Once that maroon establishes territory in the new tank, all bets are off.

Bucs20fan · May 11, 2022

A hawkfish would be great, they just perch and do their thing. And they do fight back trust me. As others have mentioned do it when you get the 50 going so every fish has to establish new territory. If you dont want the longnose, a flame hawk or scarlet/pixy hawk would also do well.

Bucs20fan · May 11, 2022

+1 to a damsel. they come in a variety of colors and love whatever cave they make or find. Yes they will make a cave regardless of your substrate trust me lol. Im not sure if even a maroon would tango with a territorial damsel.

blaxsun · May 11, 2022

Flame hawkfish is a great choice, maybe a flame or coral beauty dwarf angel, royal gramma or dottyback and definitely at least one wrasse.

Bucs20fan · May 11, 2022

Totally agree with @blaxsun I have a coral beauty with my maroon and not a single issue. Royal gramma is also an awesome addition. Despite being probably the #1 recommended fish for a reef tank they are very spicy and will hold their own as well.

I cannot recommend enough a carpenters wrasse. Very colorful and peaceful and loves the top of the water column unlike a maroon clown.

Hilltopreef90 · May 11, 2022

My maroon is about 3” maybe more, he’s a beautiful fish but very mean, the blenny stays away from him and they have done ok together
I’d like him to have a bigger tank even though he never seems to swim around much, but I also can’t see having a 50 gallon with only two fish as well as it would be nice to have a fish that doesn’t hide and attack my hand anytime I try to do any maintenance inside the tank, lol

JumboShrimp · May 11, 2022

Be sure to send us his photo when he gets into his new home.

With such a small bio-load, will you be getting a 50-gallon All-In-One? (Something like a Innovative Marine AIO would be awesome!)

Bucs20fan · May 11, 2022

I think almost all of us have been attacked by our clowns at one point or another. I will say my ocel pair are far meaner to me than my maroon is. The issue with a free swimming fish that constantly goes all over and a territorial clown or damsel etc. is that every time they wander into claimed territory its renewed aggression. This happens in my 60 breeder at times. I have a damsel that has a cave system in some rocks and is a model citizen 99% of the time, except when a fish wanders to close to the opening and it chases it around the entire tank for a good 30 seconds or so, then retreats to its house again.