a question of how many and what kind

[jawfishray]

Greetings all,
Well all of my tanks in my system have cycled, and are thriving (flower anme., pipefish, bar gobies, eyelash blennies, etc.), now it is time to setup the center tank.
As I have a family that has never had saltwater tanks, and thanks to a recent movie, I will be making the center tank a Amphiprion ocellaris showtank.
How many small A.o clownfish could be expected to thrive within a 46gl bow front? It is supported with a pair of 20gl fuges and a 18gl wet/dry/sump. Lots of live sand, full and I mean full of great sand sifters, macro is booming in the fuges. So water quality is right on and I could support a fairly higher bio load with the extra tanks within the system; a 46gl supported with combined 104gl.
I was figuring 1 per 4-5 gal of swimming/rock space...not counting sand/center rock value...I was thinking 5-7 small clowns would do fine.
I will not be adding any other clowns or other fish beyond a small sand sifting goby or related passive tankmate.
This question of how many clown fish aside, I am now moving on to the question of which and how many anemones.
Should I shoot for an equal number of small anemones for each clown? The current opinion that I have garnered is that the bubletip family is the preferred for this as it is easily accepted and is fairly strong willed/high constitution in a aquarium setting.
I am looking for any advice. The tank will also have some mushrooms and ricordea; of these I am also looking for recommendations...which ones are most hardy and attractive (trying to stay away from all green animals).
I have the lunar package from helio for my lights and could not be happier. Macro is triving. Tons of activity day and night.
As always I turn to this board for support and advice. I do appreciate any input in this matter or any other relating to this.
Thanks in advance
Ray Boemler
www.peanutbutterjellyfish.com

 

[alison]

:happyfish Hi, I would be careful adding that many clowns all together. Ocelaris are more peaceful clowns, but they still fight with each other. As they grow they will group into different pairs and change --- accordingly with the bigger one being the female. I would personally stick with one pair, not a bunch. I know the pet stores do this, but they are all babies, not adults. Especially if the tank is only a 46 gal. If it were a 190 gal. Then I would say they have enough space to pair up and have their own anemonies. I tried your exact thing in a 60 gal. of mine, but they just all paired seperately, and fought. I had to get rid of all but two. However all fish are individuals, and you never know. I've seen smaller reefs with that many clowns all hosting in one big anemone and one female clown. Also, in my 60 gal. that I talked about the female died and I was left with a male, and I decided to risk it and get a clarki, and they are a pair in a giant anemonie of mine. I've even seen mixed species clowns mate and produce! Talk about a wild world! Anyways, Good luck :happyfish

 

[jawfishray]

Not an ego issue, but I seriously thought the mention of a group of Ocelaris in one medium tank (which many aquarists have considered) would trigger a series of responses...and then there was one.
Wow.
All shock aside, I have been looking into this for some time now. With all of the available information that I have found, it would seem that my best chance would be to introduce the "group" at the same time. The extra anemones and plenty of visual blocks, to provide ample opportunity and significant "out of sight out of mind" conditions, I thought would offer me the best opportunity.
But in the end, I will not put 5 Ocelaris in a 46gl if it going to mean death/injury/extream stress for all but 2. Everyone will have to live with a couple if that is the case.
I just thought the core master blasters would have a few comments, especially with everyone getting interested in SW via a movie and seeking their own Nemos.
...still looking for answers...
:notsure:
Ray Boemler
www.peanutbutterjellyfish.com