Multiple Clown Pairs in One Tank?

[WanderingAlbatross]

Good evening all!

I'm planning a 200-250g reef tank and would like some commentary on the following. I must have a pair of clownfish with an anemone host. No way I can have a reef without.

But as it stands, I'm torn between the classic clownfish, and the black and white "Darwin clownfish."

So the question is, if I had an anemone on each end of a tank this size, and a pair hosted by each, could I have both pairs? I've seen some say yay, some nay, but many of those comments on other threads never specified the size of the tank in question. I really like both, but I don't know yet if I could swing a pair in my less-aggressive FOWLR, both because of their size and the potentially 'nippy' fish that may harass the anemone.

Thanks for any advice

 

[happyhourhero]

I have 4 in my 150 and as of now, one is banished to the top corner of the tank and the other three chill. For now.

 

[BristleWormHater]

If you put the nems on opposite sides of the tank so each pair gets their own nem I think that would reduce aggression, but at the end of the day its up to the clowns whether they kill each other or not.

 

[happyhourhero]

Yeah my first pair just took the nem on the other side from the second pair.

 

[WanderingAlbatross]

I have 4 in my 150 and as of now, one is banished to the top corner of the tank and the other three chill. For now.

Are they all the same type?

 

[WanderingAlbatross]

If you put the nems on opposite sides of the tank so each pair gets their own nem I think that would reduce aggression, but at the end of the day its up to the clowns whether they kill each other or not.

So it's really dependent on the individual fish. Would that relative peace dissolve once both pairs started spawning regularly? And do they get overly aggressive with other fish whenever they spawn?

 

[BristleWormHater]

Are they all the same type?

Oh that's an important note I would make sure they are both the same species. Darwins are a type of ocellaris and by normal clown I assume you mean ocellaris. For exaple just don't mix perculas and ocellaris if that makes sense

 

[BristleWormHater]

So it's really dependent on the individual fish. Would that relative peace dissolve once both pairs started spawning regularly? And do they get overly aggressive with other fish whenever they spawn?

Yes I would say it depends on the fish, some clowns are just jerks. I really don't know about spawning, but in a 250 I would give it a shot. Tennessee aquarium managed to do this tank

 

[WanderingAlbatross]

Yes I would say it depends on the fish, some clowns are just jerks. I really don't know about spawning, but in a 250 I would give it a shot. Tennessee aquarium managed to do this tank

Wow that's impressive, or perhaps foolish. Do you know if any of those are old enough to pair off yet? I've seen once or twice young fish being kept in large groups without issues, but they had a high enough turnover rate that they were never old enough to turn female before they were rehomed.

So any clownfish of the same type has a chance of working if done carefully? But for example, a darwin pair and maroon pair would not work? I find it intriguing that usually fish have a problem with their own kind, or those that look similar. This seems to be the opposite, they are more likely to tolerate one of their own over a completely different looking clown? Fascinating.

 

[BristleWormHater]

Wow that's impressive, or perhaps foolish. Do you know if any of those are old enough to pair off yet? I've seen once or twice young fish being kept in large groups without issues, but they had a high enough turnover rate that they were never old enough to turn female before they were rehomed.

So any clownfish of the same type has a chance of working if done carefully? But for example, a darwin pair and maroon pair would not work? I find it intriguing that usually fish have a problem with their own kind, or those that look similar. This seems to be the opposite, they are more likely to tolerate one of their own over a completely different looking clown? Fascinating.

Maroons are extremely aggressive so yes they would have a problem with the darwins. Maroons are not ocellaris, they are a separate species and definitely the most aggressive out of any clownfish species.
That tank has been running for over ten years all those fish are full grown, the people at Tennessee aquarium know what they are doing (they keep a 400,000 gallon display after all). I'll ask next time I go but my guess is because there is plenty of anemones and the tank is probably 500 gallons or so.
The key here is to pick a species (percula, ocellaris, skunks, tomatoes, or maroons). If you are getting designers make sure to check what species they are. If you stick to your plan of darwins and regular ocellaris you'll be fine they are both the same species. Add them at the same time and make sure they are the same size

 

[exnisstech]

Depending on the type of nem they may or may not stay at seperate ends of the tank. Also often captive bred clowns are slow to host and some never do. Maybe have a back up plan in place.

 

[Fishguy321]

If the OP wants a pair of regular ocellaris and Darwin ocellaris and buys 4 fish at the same size, won’t they just end up with a colony of one female and three males?

I don’t think the fish will pair off the way you think unless they’ve been paired off for a while before you buy them, and the genders are concretely set.

 

[WanderingAlbatross]

Depending on the type of nem they may or may not stay at seperate ends of the tank. Also often captive bred clowns are slow to host and some never do. Maybe have a back up plan in place.

I understand, that is something to consider for sure.

I was under the impression that the nems move the most when they're first added to find "their spot". I was hoping to add the nems first, let them get settled, then add the clowns near each nem. I've heard of some places selling the clowns with their own nem, but I wasn't sure how accurate it was. I also heard that some clowns will only choose certain types of anemones as a host. I'm partial to the Sebae myself, or the long tentacle, but have no problem adding a bta. On average though, how big do those get in your experience?

I'm mildly concerned about having too many because I plan to have quite a few corals and inverts, and I don't want anyone getting stung to the point of serious injury by an anemone with an attitude problem.

 

[Uncle99]

I think that’s going to end badly.
50 sure.
4, nope.
Chances of two pairs of clowns each pair hosting a nem on each side of the tank is remote IMM. What if one nem moves towards the other?

Just pick a pair and you’ll be happy.

These guys paired seven years and going.

 

[WanderingAlbatross]

If the OP wants a pair of regular ocellaris and Darwin ocellaris and buys 4 fish at the same size, won’t they just end up with a colony of one female and three males?

I don’t think the fish will pair off the way you think unless they’ve been paired off for a while before you buy them, and the genders are concretely set.

Thank you for bringing that up.

If necessary, I will keep them separated long enough to pair. I know I could just get one of each and pair them, like many do with the special clown variants. But I'd rather my pairs look the same if possible. I love both types, but I don't want fighting either. Minor squabbles are to be expected, but I can only imagine how traumatizing it is to come home to a half-decapitated fish. Ideally, they should stay to their space and live and eat and spawn, given the hypothetical distance between them. But I know, its dependent on the individuals in question.

Also, side question, I've seen people offer their clowns a tile or clay flowerpot to spawn in. But we all know in a reef environment, the likelihood of the eggs and/or fry getting eaten by something is very high, assuming the fry don't starve. Do the babies have any protection from its parents' host nem, or will the host eat the fry? I only ask cause I wonder if there was a little clown sized cave that the nem tentacles largely blocked, could the fry hypothetically avoid getting eaten in there? If the tile, or smooth-ish surface was placed in there for added protection? I know starving is still a threat, but just some food for thought.

 

[exnisstech]

I understand, that is something to consider for sure.

I was under the impression that the nems move the most when they're first added to find "their spot". I was hoping to add the nems first, let them get settled, then add the clowns near each nem. I've heard of some places selling the clowns with their own nem, but I wasn't sure how accurate it was. I also heard that some clowns will only choose certain types of anemones as a host. I'm partial to the Sebae myself, or the long tentacle, but have no problem adding a bta. On average though, how big do those get in your experience?

I'm mildly concerned about having too many because I plan to have quite a few corals and inverts, and I don't want anyone getting stung to the point of serious injury by an anemone with an attitude problem.

I've only kept haddoni, long tentacle, and bubble tips. The bubble tips are smaller than the others full grown but I've had some 10" or so fully inflated. They do tend to wander more when first added but when they settle there's guarantee it will be where you want them. I've had all three move after staying put for months. My haddoni is the only one I have now. I no longer keep nems in tank with a lot of corals.

 

[WanderingAlbatross]

I've only kept haddoni, long tentacle, and bubble tips. The bubble tips are smaller than the others full grown but I've had some 10" or so fully inflated. They do tend to wander more when first added but when they settle there's guarantee it will be where you want them. I've had all three move after staying put for months. My haddoni is the only one I have now. I no longer keep nems in tank with a lot of corals.

Do they really damage corals that bad? Or does it depend on the nem? I was hoping for a very full (different species wise) reef with a couple nems, coral, sponges, and many inverts and small fish. Clownfish and their nem are meant to be one of the highlights of my reef, the symbiotic relationship.

I did read on one of these other threads that it may be possible to 'coax' the nem away from certain areas by switching the powerheads around to blast that area temporarily, making it unfavorable for the nem to settle there. It may not work on them all, and may not be a permanent solution, but is there some validity to that concept in your experience?

Blessings

 

[exnisstech]

Bubble tips can kill coral. I've had them kill parts of coral that were too close by stinging them. Whenever my haddoni and LT nem moved thay stayed on the bottom so it wasn't a problem. Bubble tips will blow around the tank but also climb around on the rocks. I kept bubble tips for years with coral but none of the coral were high end stuff.
I would suggest getting the nem / clownfish situated for a while and when you confident they are happy where they are then start adding coral. My nems weren't wandering murderers but one just never knows with nems so I like to mention the possibilities. One of the big nems like a gig or mag would be my choice as a centerpiece. I've not kept either but from reading it doesn't appear they move that often once settled in. They look so much nicer than bubble tips also IMO.

EDIT : I can't get the link to post for some reason but if you need a clownfish / nem compatability chart fishlore has a nice one that shows up in a Google search