Multiple Clark’s Clowns being introduced at once?

[Imthatguybrandon]

Looking to introduce more than 2 Clark’s Clowns into my tank. I have ready multiple discussion on multiple clowns, and understand it's hit or miss when it comes to success. My plan is to get juveniles and introduce them at the same time. My question, is what is a good number to try this at? I thought maybe 4 since a group of 3 would leave a higher chance of having one singled out. But, from what I've been reading it seems that 3 is a recommended number when it comes to Amphiprion clarkii specifically.

 

[KrisReef]

Will be there be an anemone in the tank, or two?

 

[Moose.Jy]

Clarkii are probably the third most aggressive clown fish, Maroon's being fist and tomatoes being second (from my research and experience I could be wrong)
Even for juveniles having a large (atleast 6" but bigger is better) host anemone for each fish is best. This is true even if your just keeping a pair. So I would base the number off how many anemones you can put in the tank.
Clarkiis atleast are not picky they will host just about any type of nem. I use 2 large bubble tips to keep my young pair from killing each other.

 

[Imthatguybrandon]

Will be there be an anemone in the tank, or two?

I plan to add 1-2. For context I just set up my 50 gallon so these Clarkii would be the first fishes introduced to the tank post cycling. I would need to wait for my tank to mature a bit before I could add any anemones from what I understand.

 

[Imthatguybrandon]

Clarkii are probably the third most aggressive clown fish, Maroon's being fist and tomatoes being second (from my research and experience I could be wrong)
Even for juveniles having a large (atleast 6" but bigger is better) host anemone for each fish is best. This is true even if your just keeping a pair. So I would base the number off how many anemones you can put in the tank.
Clarkiis atleast are not picky they will host just about any type of nem. I use 2 large bubble tips to keep my young pair from killing each other.

Awesome, thanks for the insight. ensuring territorial space seems key to minimizing the aggression.

 

[Jekyl]

6 or more feedings throughout the day and cross your fingers. From what I've seen this seems to help. Anything you can do to keep aggression out of it.

 

[exnisstech]

Ckarkii get pretty large. It may work for a while but I doubt it will work very well long term. I'd recommend having a back up plan if you do this.

 

[JHSteepat]

I had three Juvenile clarkiis (wild-caught, way back, in 72g) that matured together without an anemone and hung together for 3+ years (broke down tank and gave away). Aside from occasional squabbles, they were great tank citizens, active, friendly, and never too aggressive. Tried to nip me on occasion, but that was the extent of it and it never seemed serious.

Also had orchid dottyback, damsel, and foxface in same tank, fwiw.

Take that single anecdote with a grain of salt (based on others' comments) as you would need to keep an eye on them, and dynamics could change with an anemone.

 

[Imthatguybrandon]

Ckarkii get pretty large. It may work for a while but I doubt it will work very well long term. I'd recommend having a back up plan if you do this.

I see, having 3 larger clarkiis in a 50 gallon may be a bit challenging now when I think about it! I could look at potential upsizing. Do they grow fast compared to other clown species?

 

[Imthatguybrandon]

I had three Juvenile clarkiis (wild-caught, way back, in 72g) that matured together without an anemone and hung together for 3+ years (broke down tank and gave away). Aside from occasional squabbles, they were great tank citizens, active, friendly, and never too aggressive. Tried to nip me on occasion, but that was the extent of it and it never seemed serious.

Also had orchid dottyback, damsel, and foxface in same tank, fwiw.

Take that single anecdote with a grain of salt (based on others' comments) as you would need to keep an eye on them, and dynamics could change with an anemone.

Thanks for the insight, I'm planning to take this route and focus on monitoring and keeping feedings up! Hoping it all works out in the end!

 

[exnisstech]

I see, having 3 larger clarkiis in a 50 gallon may be a bit challenging now when I think about it! I could look at potential upsizing. Do they grow fast compared to other clown species?

I'm not sure how fast they grow. I have a little one growing out now but my others were adult when I got them. I will say they are one of the fastest to host in a nem that I have seen. My little guy took to my blue haddoni in less than an hour of being placed in the tank.

 

[Peace River]

I have kept many species of clowns, and I agree with the comments about the aggressive nature of Clarkii. Personally, I would not put more than two in a 50 gallon tank. It can work, but there is a strong chance that it won’t. The bigger question would seem to be how long will it work until it doesn’t. Clowns are wired for aggression and dominance. As others have mentioned, if you do move forward with it multiple clowns then please have a back up plan. Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[KrisReef]

Pretty good and through discussion thus far and I think the only additional thing that I can say is that in the wild I have observed huge anemones that were home to multiple clownfish and damsels all dwelling in the same location. I don’t know if they were juveniles, but they were not obviously ADULT sized, but they could have been?

The situation we try to set up ( in this case a pair or a trio) is a happy tank with cohabiting fish. Sometimes the fish we collect are so bent towards aggression that individuals will not pair with another fish. Often pairs do form but adding three random fish, or just two doesn’t always work out like we hoped. Be aware and good luck. I’m fond of Clarkii myself!

 

[Imthatguybrandon]

I'm not sure how fast they grow. I have a little one growing out now but my others were adult when I got them. I will say they are one of the fastest to host in a nem that I have seen. My little guy took to my blue haddoni in less than an hour of being placed in the tank.

Glad to hear they host very quickly!

 

[Imthatguybrandon]

Pretty good and through discussion thus far and I think the only additional thing that I can say is that in the wild I have observed huge anemones that were home to multiple clownfish and damsels all dwelling in the same location. I don’t know if they were juveniles, but they were not obviously ADULT sized, but they could have been?

The situation we try to set up ( in this case a pair or a trio) is a happy tank with cohabiting fish. Sometimes the fish we collect are so bent towards aggression that individuals will not pair with another fish. Often pairs do form but adding three random fish, or just two doesn’t always work out like we hoped. Be aware and good luck. I’m fond of Clarkii myself!

Well said, at the end of the day we can only do so much the rest in the nature and personality of the fish. I'll be sure to follow up on this thread with an update once I get everything in place!