Multiple Clownfish Keeping

[aznt1217]

Hello Everybody,

I will be doing a tank upgrade soon to a 72 Bow front. Currently I have a 54 Gallon Corner tank with 2 Clownfish I have had since I started the hobby (I call them my tanks because they are FAT and huge).

When I upgrade, I really want a pair of Black Clowns. I know Clownfish are very social naturally, but I remember when I added 2 black clowns they fought like hell. If I put the fish all at the same time in the new aquarium will it work?

Any assistance would be great.

:splitspin

 

[Euroreefer]

:shhh:Nope, it wont work, 2 is a pair, and 3-4 is a crowd. They like to be in pairs. I've tried this on several occasions and it just never works out the way you want it to.

 

[noelskii]

i had 4 in a 40 breeder for about 6months and they were fine. they all hosted the same green carpet anemone. i guess it varies from tank to tank...

 

[Euroreefer]

when you purchased them, were they all together already? I think this makes the difference.

 

[noelskii]

no. i had 1, then bought another one from a lfs. then bought 2 more from another lfs (weren't a pair)

 

[Euroreefer]

Wow, thats good to hear, so I guess it is possible. I personally have never had luck like that.

 

[aznt1217]

Crap... so what am I doing guys haha. I don't want 2 clownfish to end up in the sump

 

[Euroreefer]

Maybe the key is getting them before they have already paired up. I think adding 2 pairs into the same tank is trouble, but maybe adding them before anyone pairs up would work, as there can only be 1 female in the group.

 

[akma]

Check out this thread.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1259398

 

[aznt1217]

I am wondering what happens if I just buy all males... I wish Joe from Manhattan Aquariums would chime in on this

Thanks for the thread. See that's exactly what I was wondering, those all grew up together. Also I know that in large amounts clownfish actually "school" together and get along. Hence the legendary "clown fish ball."

 

[JonG101]

i know someone who has over 15 true percs in a 150 and they are fine. clown only tank and never had any problems. it is definately possible, just have to have the space

 

[aznt1217]

Yea 15... very different from 4. haha. Do you know if they are all the same species?

 

[NYreefNoob]

i will have 5 or 6 in my tank, the trick is either getting all the same size or all but 1 same size, problem comes from the females, females will beat the other's down, i plan to add all at the same time,

 

[akma]

I know that ECFENCING had a pair of clownfish in his tank. He inherited another two and last time I checked they were doing fine all together. I think they just stuck to other sides of the tank.

 

[Master Shake]

if you buy all males they can change because all clowns are born males or
"undecided" when they begin to pair the more dominant one gets larger and becomes the female depending on the breed of the clowns. Tank raised usually get along in groups better than wild caught clowns. Try to get some ORA tank raised black percs and it might work.

 

[aznt1217]

Man my stupid clowns are HUGE. lol. I wanted small ones