Adding a third clown doesn't seem to have been a good idea

[islandkoa]

I'm taking down my 20 gallon and putting the false perc and small goby into my 110 which has a 4" maroon clown and another false perc. After an hour, the 110 gal perc started shadowing the new perc and doing a fluttering dance next to it. The new perc was/is breathing heavily and trying to avoid the other. While that was going on, the maroon randomly tried to break them up bumping into or nipping at either one but mostly the 110 perc. It is currently 2 hours later and only the moon lights are on. The original inhabitants seemed to have settled down and the new perc is hanging out near the surface.
From what I've read so far, it's a hit or miss (mostly miss) whether or not the clowns will get along. I think that I will give it one more day and if conditions don't improve for the new perc, I will return it to the 20 gallon (which I kept set up).

 

[meowzer]

I think 3 clowns is usually a no-no

 

[t316]

There's a good chance that one of them will be dead by morning. This is an aggressive species when it comes to territory.

 

[btldreef]

You'll probably wake up to a dead fish. IF YOU DON'T, how old are these clowns? AND, why do you have two different types in one tank, that's asking for their natural aggression to come out. They're very territorial and don't take to new comers of their own species.
The clown could just be stressed. If we're talking about a baby with an adult, IMO, it's probably not going to end well.

 

[islandkoa]

Update.
Thanks for everyone's insight. Fortunately, I guess that I statistically beat the odds as I came home for lunch, anticipating either returning to a dead fish or returning the clown to his original tank. They all seem to be doing better. The percs are hanging out together, now exploring throughout the tank and the maroon does his own thing again. To answer the last person's response, the reason for the two different types of clowns is due to the fact that I bought them from someone else and they were part of a big happy family. That was never an issue, at least since I owned them.
I still have my 20 gallon set up in case things change and will probably take it down in a couple of days.

 

[jetskiking]

Originally Posted by Islandkoa
http:///forum/post/3146596
Update.
Thanks for everyone's insight. Fortunately, I guess that I statistically beat the odds as I came home for lunch, anticipating either returning to a dead fish or returning the clown to his original tank. They all seem to be doing better. The percs are hanging out together, now exploring throughout the tank and the maroon does his own thing again. To answer the last person's response, the reason for the two different types of clowns is due to the fact that I bought them from someone else and they were part of a big happy family. That was never an issue, at least since I owned them.
I still have my 20 gallon set up in case things change and will probably take it down in a couple of days.
I had a feeling that would be the outcome. Most of the time when you intoduce a new clownfish there will be some positioning. If they were going to fight to the death it would have been apparent. I have broken almost every "rule" when it comes to clownfish. I have also housed two different pairs of clowns in a 55 for over 6 years. I believe them to be like tangs. If they have different coloration and shape then it increases the chances of them being successful. I'm not saying everyone should try this but it can be done. We gain nothing by not trying new things that break the rules. I wouldn't have the odd couple in my avatar if it wasn't for breaking "rules".

 

[srfisher17]

I'll bet the maroon is still a juvi. A grown maroon, especially a big female, will seldom tolerate any other clownfish---even in very large tanks.

 

[jetskiking]

Originally Posted by srfisher17
http:///forum/post/3146658
I'll bet the maroon is still a juvi. A grown maroon, especially a big female, will seldom tolerate any other clownfish---even in very large tanks.
I would have to agree. That would not be my first choice in trying to house multiple species of clowns. When I kept two different species of clowns it was tomatoes and ocellaris. Totally different colors, shapes and markings. The trick is for them not to percieve the other fish as the same, reducing in the fishes mind the threat on territory and food. Also my observation is clowns tend to be less agressive when they are not in a pair or defending an anemone. Again, I'm not saying everyone should try this. I'm just pointing out it has been done by myself and others.

 

[chaseter]

Originally Posted by srfisher17
http:///forum/post/3146658
I'll bet the maroon is still a juvi. A grown maroon, especially a big female, will seldom tolerate any other clownfish---even in very large tanks.
The maroon is 4" as described above. That is an adult female as they usually can get 5-6".

 

[btldreef]

Glad to hear it's working out for you and that you beat the odds!

I'm a little jealous too, I have babies in my tank and they would NEVER accept another clownfish. Even in my 155, the beat on the Angel Fish if she comes anywhere near their anemones.