Thoughts on Keeping a Clownfish Harem?

churro · Sep 5, 2018

I have 4 clowns in my tank. All 4 ocellaris. I had my original 2 that were 3 years old, and had my finances 2 babies in a holding container until his tank was ready. Accidentally hit it and let them loose, and well. 3 or so months later they are still in there. They get along well but my female also isnt exactly the biggest ******* of a clown either. Fairly mellow, as far as clownfish come which may play a part. All tank bred and tank raised and none of them give a hoot about anemones.

Seagars · Sep 5, 2018

It can be done. I have a harem of 11 clowns and from different clutches. they all get along and i was even fortunate to add the last one to get to 11 successfully.
they were all added to the tank at the same time (except for the 1).
i did purchase all from the same breeder through.
i love my 11 clowns and the way they are hosted by the 3 nems.

Chicago-quicksilver · Sep 5, 2018

I had 4 clowns in my 66 gallon tank but I provided the with their own anemone to host. I think if you do make sure you have enough room and anemone's for the to host, the only issue I ran into was when a pair of them mated they were very territorial over a decent portion of the tank.

ChrisW · Sep 5, 2018

Halostemanic said:
I currently have 20 mixed clownfish in a Reefer 350. All from the same breeder and a mix of Picasso, frostbite & premium snowflake. One year in and things are going well. I feed twice a day and have heavy nutrient export. I have a few very small bubble tips that they used to host as babies but now they do not bother.

I actually agree that clownfish are racist! The premium snowflakes always go for the Picasso’s.

They are currently fighting to establish the hierarchy with only one casualty that lives in the sump for now. I can’t help feeling that it’s a bit of a ticking time bomb but up until I have more fish in the sump than the DT I’m going to enjoy it.

My tips... 1) one breeder. 2) same clutch or extremely small clownfish. Which is what I did. All mine were from the same grow out tank. 3) feed good meals 4) heavy nutrient export and 5) have a plan B for victims of aggression. Clownfish are vicious and relentless attackers.

@Halostemanic what does the heavy nutrient meal consist of?

srad750c · Sep 5, 2018

Halostemanic said:
I currently have 20 mixed clownfish in a Reefer 350. All from the same breeder and a mix of Picasso, frostbite & premium snowflake. One year in and things are going well. I feed twice a day and have heavy nutrient export. I have a few very small bubble tips that they used to host as babies but now they do not bother.

I actually agree that clownfish are racist! The premium snowflakes always go for the Picasso’s.

They are currently fighting to establish the hierarchy with only one casualty that lives in the sump for now. I can’t help feeling that it’s a bit of a ticking time bomb but up until I have more fish in the sump than the DT I’m going to enjoy it.

My tips... 1) one breeder. 2) same clutch or extremely small clownfish. Which is what I did. All mine were from the same grow out tank. 3) feed good meals 4) heavy nutrient export and 5) have a plan B for victims of aggression. Clownfish are vicious and relentless attackers.

Won’t matter, when they pair up, the fireworks will start. Clowns are very territorial and aggressive when the time comes. My black percs don’t back away from my purple tang at all. Everything in my tank seems to be aggressive and they don’t flinch.