Will my 5 clownfish fight

edwinlyh0108 · Sep 24, 2023

Im thinking of getting 5clownfish in a 40cube
I have 2 right now
Will they fight??

I never finish anythi · Sep 24, 2023

I'd say that is a bit risky tbh . Might get lucky but doubt it

Bucko · Sep 24, 2023

From what i've read and heard it's unlikely to succeed and you will be left with 2 in the end anyway.

That being said BRS did have some succes with it, but there are a lot of things to take into account like getting them from the same egg clutch which i assume will be difficult if you already have 2.

So not impossible but quite risky indeed.

CasperOe · Sep 24, 2023

Too risky, specially with two in there already.. I'd take the two you have back in to the LFS- or rehome them through your local network and then get give juveniles - that is if you insist on having five clowns

Better still, i'd just get some other fish to go with the two clowns you have! Any particular reason you want to keep just clown fish? A special project you're building?

PeterErc · Sep 24, 2023

I had 5 in a 150, with nems in different locations. One of the smaller clowns got pushed away right off the bat. The other 4 hung out in pairs and would wife swap. Maybe 6 months or more. Now one of the smaller is not longer apart and needs to be removed. I guess the clown doesn’t want to transition and identifies as as he/him.
So one he/him and two her/she/hers are having Utah relations but not sure what goes on when lights are out. One of the cardinals has been looking rough and doing the swim of shame in the morning.
IME it may work short term but long term is a gamble

These were not purchased for the trial. They were rescues from tank breakdowns and can be kept in separate tanks as needed.

Cell · Sep 24, 2023

Not recommended. Multiple pairs can work in larger tanks, but 40G is too small.

Murica · Sep 24, 2023

I have a 450 gallon and have 4 clowns in it. 2 are happy, one knows its place and the other is living in the shadows to avoid getting bullied. In a 40 cube I would avoid it unless you properly set up a harem environment for them in which case, may still not work

zfisk · Sep 24, 2023

Not enough retail in the 40 cube I think. It sounds like the 5 will quickly turn to 2.

edwinlyh0108 · Sep 25, 2023

CasperOe said:
Too risky, specially with two in there already.. I'd take the two you have back in to the LFS- or rehome them through your local network and then get give juveniles - that is if you insist on having five clowns

Better still, i'd just get some other fish to go with the two clowns you have! Any particular reason you want to keep just clown fish? A special project you're building?

Im trying to build a clownfish harem for my parents
They love clownfish and want all kinds of them. Like black&white, ice, platinum and etc.

JayM · Sep 25, 2023

I had two "regular" ocellaris for a month or so, and long story short ended up with three more "designer" ocellaris shortly thereafter (80 gallons). The first two were considerably bigger than the second three and everyone got along until they didn't, which was a few weeks give or take. The Domino from the group of 3 decided to relentlessly chase the other two clowns that he was introduced with. He's now at the LFS and the remaining two pairs are peacefully coexisting again. Fingers crossed that it stays that way.

Marquarium · Sep 25, 2023

Never had any luck with 4 in my 125. 2 were dominant and took over all anemone territory and bullied the other 2.

Going to try again in my 280 but I'm expecting similar results even if I really space out the anemones. I should also mention the 2 bully clowns are BIG. Largest clowns I've had and only fish that attack me if I have to put hands in tank.