Pairing up maroon clowns

[samoyedsrule]

I want to get a pair of maroon clowns . I know this has to be done carefully , unless you get lucky and purchase a pair. I am looking for advise from people who have had success with this. My thinking is to purchase two at the same time, with one being larger than the other. Any advise would be great.
Thank you

 

[saltyphish]

Bump. I would like to get a pair of gold flakes myself just hear they can be difficult to pair.

 

[vedros74]

I had a pair of yellow stripe maroons for about 4-5 years that I paired up. There was some aggression and chasing at first. I got one bigger than the other. They even starting laying after a couple years. Even though these are supposed to be the most aggressive clowns they never once nipped at me or came after me even when they were laying eggs and now I have a pair of snowflakes that bite. How ironic. I regret trading them in sometimes

 

[srpsycho11]

I just paired up two maroon clowns that I did not purchase at the same time. I bought a specimen container and drilled some holes in it for good flow. I put the new smaller clown in it for a couple of weeks. I then switched the clowns, bigger one in the specimen tank little in the tank for two weeks. I would let them interact with each other in both tanks each week, either both in the tank or both in the specimen tank and they are now both living the 38 gallon tank with no issues. Have some video on YouTube

 

[4FordFamily]

It can go very very wrong. I've tried twice and the larger killed the smaller within 1-3 months.

A larger tank may increase your odds, as the smaller can stay out of the female's way.

These experiences were in a 75 and 125 gallon tank.

 

[4FordFamily]

I just paired up two maroon clowns that I did not purchase at the same time. I bought a specimen contain drilled some holes in it for good flow and allowed the new smaller clown to live in it for a couple of weeks. I then switched the clowns, bigger one in the specimen tank little in the tank for two weeks. I would let them interact with each in both tanks each week, either both in the tank or both in the specimen tank and they are now both living the 38 gallon tank with no issues. Have some video on YouTube

Much better strategy than I described. Do this ^

 

[davocean]

A specimen container intro is best, should really only take a couple/few days of doing so.
If the female is refusing the male it's usually pretty obvious she wants to kill it, rather than simply curious.

 

[AlexG]

When I worked at a LFS we used to pair up clowns. Gold stripe maroons were often paired together. Normally in a day or so we would find out if the pair worked out. The holding tanks were 15-22 gallons. We would always look to get a small and larger fish paired together. There is always a risk though so if the LFS can try to pair them for you and hold them together for a week it will help to determine if it will work.