Introducing another pair of clownfish???

[marki24]

I have a 40 breeder and currently have a pair of tomatoe clowns and i am planning on introducing a mated pair of ocellaris clowns. Currently the other tank mates are

Lunear Blenny
Yellow Watchman Goby
Hippo Tank
PJ Cardinal

I am only concerned about the two species of clowns getting along or not getting along. What does everyone think? Thank you.

 

[tunicata]

I had a friend in maine that actually was able to work this out.
He sectioned 'barrier' rocks. He worked with the thought that since the clownfish are territorial, and the established fish hosted an anemone on one side of the tank, that if the new clowns would host an anemone on the opposite side of the tank, there should be no trouble.

They would both have their own territories, and essentially not even 'know' the other pair existed.

It worked for him and it does make sense. As long as there was a reliable food source, I rarely see clowns go very far from their host.

I'm actually going to do it myself. I have some shelf type rock and using that to create two sections of the tank. Hopefully I get the anemones to live where I'd prefer....

 

[greggnyce]

Did your freind have tomato clowns? Mine used to attack me, they are extremely aggressive.

 

[Wes]

being that the tomatoes are agressive and already established, you may have a problem.

I have 2 pairs in my tank but the aggressive pair (A. Nigripes) were added last and could stand up to the "hazing" brought on by the established A. Perculas.

my prediction is the the new ocellaris pair will get their butts kicked.

 

[marki24]

I am figuring that too. Ok I guess this means its time to start a new tank

 

[Euroreefer]

Yup, new tank, those tomatoe clowns are the devil.... you dont want to risk a nice pair of clowns.

 

[marki24]

Well I was actually wrong with the Id of my original clowns. They are actually clarkii clowns, will that be any safer??

 

[lfsmarineguy]

not really. I find personally that aggression is scalable. You put a semi aggressive fish in a small tank and allow it to establish itself and then introduce a similar fish or even anything sometimes and your semi-aggressive fish is now more than aggressive. You have to consider the fact that these animals have basic instincts that are triggered by stimuli. All they see is that there is an intruder in their territory and this is only exacerbated by the fact that the intruder can't get away in 40 gallons of water. There is nowhere to hide. The original fish was mad that this other fish showed up in the first place but the fact that he won't leave makes it worse. Just don't mix clowns. Embrace the limitations of your tank and you'll have happier inhabitants.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Clarkii's are vicious fish.

 

[tunicata]

I know everyone has their own experiences, some times things just work out.
So, just to let you know. I now have 2 percs, 2 maroons, 1 black and white and they are having a blast.
Could be because no pair (or the single girl) has established themselves?
The pairs have specific areas of the tank to themselves, and the black and white one is the only one that roams about. But even at feeding time it's all good.

Also, the percs and maroons came as pairs from the same tank. I don't know what conditions they 'met' under, but they were in a 65 together prior to me having them together. I'm glad they seem to have no issue with the black and white one.
Not sure if/when I'll try and pair the black and white one. Should do it soon or not at all.

 

[lfsmarineguy]

I've seen peaceful fish snap and go nuts on more aggressive fish, it happens.

 

[marki24]

I probably wont mix. I will set up a tank at work with the new clowns. Thanks everyone.