adding clowns

mdmcss

mdmcss

New Member
I have a 150 gal tank that has been up for 8 week. I would like to add two pair of clowns. Since my unit is six feet long I would like to put an anemone on each end of the tank with two clowns in each. Is this to much?
What would be the best clowns to get?
Do I have to get mated pairs of will they pair up?
I understand it is not good to mix clowns. I would like a pair of white maroons and a pair of gold maroons if possible. Will this work?
What anemones should I get for them?
What is better to put the anemones in first then all the clowns together or get the clowns first?
Thanks for the info.
 
mana_man19

mana_man19

Member
I'm no expert but from what I know this is my advice. The two pairs of clowns probably wont work, the two species would probably fight it out. You can get more than 2 clowns, all the same species, but in all likelyhood you would wind up with a pair and two immature males. As for the type of clowns, if you are going to try two pair I would go with the ones you have chosen. Reason being if you get two drasticly different species one will almost certainly dominate. Maroons really seem to like the bubble tip anemones, I would recomend those, but I would get more than two anemones. You can get several kinds to make it interesting. In short, if you are going to try two pair I would buy several, 4-6, anemones. I would probably put them in one or two at a time over a couple weeks. Let them all get situated and settled in a spot they are happy. Then add the clowns, all at once. Pray. More questions feel free to ask.
 
mdmcss

mdmcss

New Member
Thanks for the info. I'm new at this.
I saw a group of maroons at the lps yesterday he had six of them in the same small tank. they all seem to get along.
If I was to get four of them would I have a problem?
they all seem about the same size. would they pair up and share the anemone or would I have a bloodbath?
I have looked locally for several anemones and have not been inpressed with the selection or price. Is it ok to buy them online?
I am ready to start purchasing other fish have noticed it is cheaper and a better selection online than in local stores. Should you buy online as opposed to locally?
Thanks
 
mana_man19

mana_man19

Member
With fish there are never any guarantees, chances are you would be ok, I would again advise at least 3 anemones. And you are right, they aren't cheap. As for online vs. store, I have never ordered anything offline so my experience there is zero. The only thing is you never know what condition the fish you are getting offline will be in, it could be starving and unhealty, whereas in the store you can say I want "that" one. I just prefer to know exactly what I'm getting.
Pairing is even more uncertain than even liking each other. And it could take up to a couple of years for clowns to truly pair. Even if you get them to pair up, I think the chances are better that you will wind up with one group consisting of a pair and two immature males, rather than the desired two pair. Simply because that is how clowns operate in the wild.
Basicly nature is unpredictable. Your clowns could pair up but choose to never touch an anemone, thus far mine have done that. They could never pair up and all go claim separate territory. They could all fight and kill each other. You just never know. But I would say if you get the ones from your LFS the chances of the last are not as high.
 
mana_man19

mana_man19

Member
On a side note, I am working on compiling a website with lots of Saltwater info on a variety of subjects, including clowns, when I get it finished I'll send you a link.
 
mary

mary

Member
Please pay attention to Manna_man, . I would still go watch them a few times in the LFS , see which stay together, one should be larger than the other, and pick your own pair. Two pairs is asking for trouble, especially if they aren't the same. Very small, less than a year are not going to pair as he said. My personal feeling about why fish get along when dumped into an enclosure at your LFS is that they are not in their own environnment, they are totally shocked and baffled by this empty tank so their individual behavior can't possibly be studied. In time they do pair up but it takes some patience with the LFS and you in coming to watch the fish. Unfortunately, the fish are often sold before they can match up, if they are over a year.
 
mdmcss

mdmcss

New Member
Thanks for the info
I will start by getting several anemones
I like the BTA and will start with that. You suggested I get sevral Should I mix different types of anemones or get all BTA's
Is it better to purchase larger anemones or smaller ones.
What is the best way to insert them in the tank should I try to place them on the rocks or on the sand. I know they will move to where they like the best.
What is the best way to ajust them to the new tank.
This board is a great help to us newbies
Thanks
 
snailheave

snailheave

Active Member
I think you can pull it off if you select two pairs of percula or ocellaris clowns because it's a 6-foot long tank and those clowns tend to stay in a small area.
won't work with maroons.
 
mana_man19

mana_man19

Member
In response to snailheave,
I am in agreement that you probably will not wind up with two pairs of maroons. But it would be possible for the four maroons to exist harmoniously. Because in nature clowns operate in the following manor: All clown fish are male from birth. Two or more clownfish group together, "pair", and one of the males establishes itself as dominant. That male then slowly changes into a female and grows larger than the other fish. When this happens one of the remaining males will establish its dominance. And the dominant male and the female become the true pair. The other males really play no role in the reproduction cycle. Unless one of the fish in the pair dies. In which case one of the under males becomes dominant and will replace the old dominant male, who either is dead or will replace the female. And this process can take months or years.
 
mdmcss

mdmcss

New Member
So much to learn!
What about the BTA's, What is the best way to acclimate them to the tank without hurting them? Can I put them in mid-level on a rock?
What is the best size to get small or larger?
 
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