New clown aggression question.

[thedandandandy]

I have two Ocellaris Clowns (Tish and Monty) and just got a Tomato Clown (Boss). He is in a separate acclimation container inside the aquarium and to be honest, he doesn't care about to Occelaris clowns and they don't care about him (So far. Fingers are firmly crossed). And my Dottyback is the only thing showing anything more than curiosty over the new tank mate.

My question is this: Is simply seeing enough to test agression in clowns? My acc box doesn't have the holes in it (I bought what they had at Petco). So I don't think they can smell each other. Believe me, I'm going to wait another week before releasing him or re-homing him. But I was just curious as to whether or not this box was pointless since they couldn't smell each other. And since there are absolutely no signs of agression as of yet, I thought it better to ask now and find out than release him in a week to have him chomped on. Thanks!

Daniel

 

[Trex]

What size tank?

To be honest, unless this is an 8 foot tank, I wouldn't even consider releasing the tomato clown -- things might work in the short term, but in the end I see one or two outcomes, and both of those end with dead clown(s).

 

[thedandandandy]

I'm in the process of setting up a 65g long tank (It's cycling). I went ahead and got him so he could be quarantined (already done), acclimated (doing now) and once I get the tank finished cycling, release all three clown at once. A friend of mine has two 5 yr old Ocellaris and one 3 yr old tomato in a 50g tank and they've rarely shown aggression, which I know is pretty much unheard of, but I wanted to give it a try. If it's not meant to be, I can net him and take him to my lfs and then get something else.

 

[Trex]

Your tank, and your choice. However, I tried 3 clowns about 15 years ago -- worked for a while, when a pair started to form (( spawn )), things went South, very very quickly. It went South before I could intervene.

 

[thedandandandy]

Well, do you think (or has anyone experienced) two different types of Ocellaris spawning? I have one standard orange and one caramel. Would they breed?

 

[Trex]

There is no reason why they woulnd't -- they are just different color morphs of the same species. I know a breeder that has different color morphs of the same species spanwing all the time.

In one of my tanks I have a pair that consists of a B&W O, and an Solaman Island Perc -- they haven't started to spawn yet, but I would be shocked if they don't in the upcoming year.

 

[thedandandandy]

Would aquascaping possibly help the fish cohabitate? If I could make it possible that it wouldn't be that easy for the Tomato to see the two Ocellaris and vice versa. Each species having its own host nem on either side of the tank and some kind of rockwork blocking their view? I know nems move about, but if I could get the nems settled in their own corner, would that be a possibility? Or at least make things more likely to go in my favor?

 

[Trex]

IMO/E, no it won't matter with that sized tank, they will still be able to see each other.

Years ago I had a mated pair of Clarkiis that would swim from one corner of a 4 foot 75 to the other just to chase a 3 stripe damsel, wouldn't even want to imagine what they would have done to another clown.

 

[shred5]

This is going to end bad. That tomato is going to rip apart those other two especially if there is two females. Netting clowns to remove one is going to be tuff.

 

[Stinger]

My dottyback is the most aggresive fish in my aquarium. I have a yellow tang/bangi cardinal, 2 ocellaris clowns, and a female anthias.

 

[carlitofish]

i like putting new fish in plastic hamster balls. that way the old fish see your new fish and cant hurt them.

 

[thedandandandy]

@trex, shred and clowns101 (if you read this) what about switching the fish and letting the Tomato roam free for a bit with the Ocellaris separated out? I could let him get used to the tank and release them after a few days and they'd be the "newcomers". I want to at least have more of a chance than dumb luck.

Thanks for the advice (however disheartening) so far guys! I called my friend and he said he was given his Tomato and let it free after 4 days and mornings ever been an issue except for fighting over who got which nem.

 

[shred5]

It doesnt matter, Some fish are territorial period thats their manner or will kill fish of the same species. Once they settle in they will become mean... My female clarkii will take on any fish that comes close to her territory and she was the last fish added. As she grows so will her territory.

Adding certain fish from least aggressive to most aggressive is just to give the new fish time to settle in. Once settled in a fishes true colors come out.

What I do not get is why even take the chance? There are so many other fish out there, why even risk it? It is irresponsible and is putting an animal in danger.

 

[thedandandandy]

Just so everyone is aware and I am completely clear, I'm not simply sticking the Tomato Clown into a deadly situation with no plan b and hoping for the best. I'm not going into this with the mindset that my wants come before the health of another living creature and that it's "okay" if any of my clowns die regardless of which animal becomes aggressive first IF any become overly aggressive at all. If it is an impossibility, then I will continue to keep my smaller tank going and have two tanks going. Would be nice to have another tank anyhow. Maybe this is my excuse. I'm not irresponsible, nor do I find it fun to endanger the life of any animal. I have simply seen this done successfully in the tanks of others.