Trying to add a small clownfish with established female

ritter6788 · Apr 12, 2012

I've had a pair of ocellaris clowns for a couple of years now. For some reason the male decided to jump. It wasn't the first time it jumped and the first time I was there to save it but a few weeks later I came home to find it dried up behind the tank. I've been looking for a small clown to replace the male and I came across a good deal on a very small Snowflake clown, (still expensive as far as I'm concerned but as far as snowflakes go it was a good deal). After finishing QT, I tried to add the new clown to my 75 reef. I put it in a "betta" box with a magnet on the side of the tank to gauge reaction from the female. After an hour or so I didn't see a ton of aggression from the female I let the small clown loose in the tank. WWW3 started and the female was attacking the small clown aggressively. Luckily I was able to catch the little guy easily and get him back in the betta box. It's hanging out in the box on the side of the tank with the female patrolling the outside.

What's my next strategy here to introduce the little clown to the tank? Is it even possible without stressing the new fish to death or jumping?

btkrausen · Apr 12, 2012

Leave him in the acclimation box for a while, like a day or two and keep an eye on what happens. Make sure there is plenty of flow into the box though, don't want him sitting in the 5 cups of saltwater the entire time

Using an acclimation box is a great way to protect your newcomer from your current, established fish.

ritter6788 · Apr 12, 2012

I used a dremel to cut slits in the top and a couple in the bottom so water can get in but the clown can't get out.

btkrausen · Apr 12, 2012

ritter6788 said:
I used a dremel to cut slits in the top and a couple in the bottom so water can get in but the clown can't get out.

Thats perfect. I use a large, acrylic acclimation cage for new additions.

cannon77 · Apr 13, 2012

We have had to place females in the specimen containers for up to 3 days and let the male get used to the tank. Most of the time, when we released the female, the agression was gone and the pairing took place pretty quick. There have been a few when we placed both the male and female in the "timeout box" for a few days together and had success........There are also some clowns that simply will not pair no matter what you do!! We have had several of those too. All you can do is try until you get them paired, or you can try a different female for the new snowflake or trade him for another male? Might need to find someone with established pairs and try to see if they will split their pairs? Good luck and I hope they work it out

ritter6788 · Apr 13, 2012

Is it better to introduce the new fish with the lights on or off?

CJO · Apr 13, 2012

Off.

CJ

ritter6788 · Apr 13, 2012

Its still in the container for now. The female looked asleep this morning before lights on and the little one looked like it wanted out to the female. I'm going to release it in a day or two if the female stops being so aggressive to the container. If not I'll try to net the female and put them both in qt so they'll be easier to separate if needed.

Thanks for the tips!