Trio of Group of Four Clowns?

[Fantom555]

So I am thinking about getting some clowns for my tank. I would like to have more than just a pair. Would it be better to get a trio or four of them? Also...if I get more than 2 do they all have be the same species or could I do different types. Lastly...should i get them all the same small size or should I get one larger on and the rest smaller. Thanks in advance!

 

[aznt1217]

1. What size tank do you have? Any anemones? If so, how many?
2. Species will depend... on what you want primarily and then we can decide on the other clowns after
3. You want to make sure you get males... first so they can duke it out and see who turns female.

PS: Title of thread is REALLY confusing lol

 

[Fantom555]

Yea sorry about the title...got sidetracked and doesn't really make sense haha

No anemones, lots of LPS and softies in a 24 gall NC dx

Species wise-I would LOVE to get percs and blacks but I realize that would probably not work so would have to go with all orange percs.

And just wondering...if I were to get a 2 males and a female, wouldn't that cause the other two smaller ones to basically HAVE to group up with her rather than them all fighting for a while, she would already have dominance?

 

[KathyC]

I think you are thinking you need to get a harem in order to have a pair (pairs?) of clowns..you do not.

Get 2 small ones and 2 larger ones and they will sort themselves out

 

[prattreef]

2 pairs of clowns are not likely to co-exist peacefully in a 24g. tank. While you might be able to form a trio ( 1 female, 2 male) that works for a period of time, chances are you will wind up with a a pair in the end. If you want to try this, start with one significantly larger than the other two. Be aware that the larger one might just flat out kill the other two rather than accept one as a mate --sometimes this happens, sometimes not. Personally, I'd recommend you find a species you like and settle for one pair.

 

[Fantom555]

Ill see what they have at the store today...ive always like black clowns...maybe Ill try that...same size or should i go with on slightly larger to give it a one up on the fighting, and maybe end it early?

 

[prattreef]

I'd go with one significantly larger.

 

[jrobbins]

if you are getting the captive bred onyx clowns then I don't think it really matters if one is larger than the other. Most of the captive bred clowns i have seen are so small that they are almost certainly all juveniles.

 

[prattreef]

if you are getting the captive bred onyx clowns then I don't think it really matters if one is larger than the other. Most of the captive bred clowns i have seen are so small that they are almost certainly all juveniles.

This is true.

 

[NYreefNoob]

and how long have you had the other 2 clowns in the tank, most of the time if you try to add after others have established the tank the new one's will get beat to death. and yes you can keep perc, occ and black occ together, i had 7 in my 80g but also had alot of anenome's and they did have a pecking order, and after a period of time one of the larger one's was trying to lay claim to one of the males so i had alot of squabbabling going on

 

[Fantom555]

Do you think it matter whether the black or orange would be female? I've heard the darker ones are better females if mixing clowns. Any truth to that?

 

[NYreefNoob]

didnt matter on color, 1 black occ was almost same size as larger female perc

 

[TRIGGERMAN]

2 pairs of clowns are not likely to co-exist peacefully in a 24g. Tank. While you might be able to form a trio ( 1 female, 2 male) that works for a period of time, chances are you will wind up with a a pair in the end. If you want to try this, start with one significantly larger than the other two. Be aware that the larger one might just flat out kill the other two rather than accept one as a mate --sometimes this happens, sometimes not. Personally, i'd recommend you find a species you like and settle for one pair.

said perfectly!

 

[thoppa]

I'm not claiming that my results are typical or that I did the right thing. But, here's my experience:

I had a occ of pretty good size. About a year later, I got 2 blacks. At first there were a bunch of squabbles, and I almost removed the blacks.

It seems to have worked itself out. No fights, all peace. One black and the occ made a pair. They sleep in the frogspawn. The other is clearly separate.

 

[aznt1217]

I'm not claiming that my results are typical or that I did the right thing. But, here's my experience:

I had a occ of pretty good size. About a year later, I got 2 blacks. At first there were a bunch of squabbles, and I almost removed the blacks.

It seems to have worked itself out. No fights, all peace. One black and the occ made a pair. They sleep in the frogspawn. The other is clearly separate.

What size tank was it in.

To Echo all the remarks above. Now that we know you have a 24g Aquapod I would only do a pair. If you want variation you can mix a black with an orange. It's not worth risking having three in such a small tank.