mixing clowns
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perfectdark
Active Member
You will hear of all the exceptions and sucess people have had. As a general rule the answer is no.
Tank size greatly decreases the odds of issues early on but as one or both matures those odds increase not in your favor, and at any given time territorial disputes can occur. Some of the less aggressive species seem to have greater long term sucess, perc and ocellaris together as an example. But no matter what is still a roll of the dice and not recomended. IMO.
Tank size greatly decreases the odds of issues early on but as one or both matures those odds increase not in your favor, and at any given time territorial disputes can occur. Some of the less aggressive species seem to have greater long term sucess, perc and ocellaris together as an example. But no matter what is still a roll of the dice and not recomended. IMO.
lexluethar
Active Member
I think most of the success stories come from people whom have juvenile clowns in the tank. Once there is dominance established things usually go south from there. Most stories of success come from LFS in which they usually have different clowns in the tank every day (sales, new stock, etc) so things are ever-changing. As dark said, tank size also comes into play - general rule of thumb is steer clear of mixing species of clowns. This also spills into mixing clowns and damsels - they are from the same family, agressive and very territorial by nature, for the most part this won't work.
I've also heard tomato's are very agressive - more so than percula, so if it doesn't work out your percula will be on the losing end of this battle.
I've also heard tomato's are very agressive - more so than percula, so if it doesn't work out your percula will be on the losing end of this battle.
gmann1139
Active Member
Here's how it usually goes:
You put the 2nd clown in, things are great for awhile, and then one day, the bigger clown turns on the smaller one, and you're back to one clownfish.
I tried to mix an ocel and a saddleback. It was fine for 4 months, then the saddleback turned on the smaller ocel.
The only way I think it works is if the tank is big enough. Clowns aren't 'wide area' swimmers, so if you have 90/120/180, you can get away with it.
You put the 2nd clown in, things are great for awhile, and then one day, the bigger clown turns on the smaller one, and you're back to one clownfish.
I tried to mix an ocel and a saddleback. It was fine for 4 months, then the saddleback turned on the smaller ocel.
The only way I think it works is if the tank is big enough. Clowns aren't 'wide area' swimmers, so if you have 90/120/180, you can get away with it.
ufo8micats
Member
i had the same problem. i had 4 pairs of clowns in a 55gal. they co-existed together for almost a year, and then larger ones turned on the smaller ones.
i now have only 3 clowns left, 1 mated pair of tomatoes, and a skunk.
i now have only 3 clowns left, 1 mated pair of tomatoes, and a skunk.
bronco300
Active Member
i have a friend who has two black and whites and a pair of false percs...both actually hosted an anemone at the same time for a while...not just one gets the anemone and the others anywhere else....but this is no where near considered success, she has only had them 3-6months or so i think...like mentioned, recommendation is no
perfectdark
Active Member
Originally Posted by Bronco300
i have a friend who has two black and whites and a pair of false percs...both actually hosted an anemone at the same time for a while...not just one gets the anemone and the others anywhere else....but this is no where near considered success, she has only had them 3-6months or so i think...like mentioned, recommendation is no
Actually a black and white is an ocellaris, and a false perc is also an ocellaris... This is a combination that would definatly work.
i have a friend who has two black and whites and a pair of false percs...both actually hosted an anemone at the same time for a while...not just one gets the anemone and the others anywhere else....but this is no where near considered success, she has only had them 3-6months or so i think...like mentioned, recommendation is no
Actually a black and white is an ocellaris, and a false perc is also an ocellaris... This is a combination that would definatly work.
perfectdark
Active Member
Originally Posted by Bronco300
you think it would 100% work? what about the female dominant-kill the other etcetc theory
There maybe issues if there are 2 females in the tank together but as far as species go. This is one combo that can work out... I had 2 juvenille ocellaris in my tank one black and white and one orange no issues.
you think it would 100% work? what about the female dominant-kill the other etcetc theory
There maybe issues if there are 2 females in the tank together but as far as species go. This is one combo that can work out... I had 2 juvenille ocellaris in my tank one black and white and one orange no issues.
reefmate75
Member
i know im going to get burned on this one by some of you....if your putting 2 aggrisive clowns together make sure you put a SMALLER one in with the larger one...and if the smaller one fights back with the larger take him out if you can...when putting them together the one in the tank will want to make sure the new commer knows whos boss if the new comer fights back hes as good as dead, but if hes submissive the larger will pick on him for about 2 days and then let him be.....reason i say put a smaller one with the larger is because if you put a larger with a smaller then it is a sure thing the new comers going to fight back and win the fight but the new comer will not stop till the smaller is dead or removed, ive put perulas together with maroon clowns, marrons are said to be on the meaner side..the far side.. but i have 7 of them together right now and i do plan to add more...as soon as the smaller ones grow alittle more...always add a smaller clown with the larger ones...if they fight back they are going to die
lexluethar
Active Member
I don't know how to respond to that...
Clowns will always fight until dominance is established. And even then the larger (female) will still pick on the smaller male in a show of dominance. Although I agree with the idea of if you are placing two clowns into a tank try to get one small and one large in hopes that they are already sexed-out and the male and female dominance will be established in a short period of time, I don't agree with your notion that you can continue the cycle of dominance by just continually placing a smaller clown into the mix.
And if I understand what you are saying, then all your clowns are female but the newest member (smallest one)? I don't think this would work, b/c once sexed out they can't become juvenile or male again, therefor making more than one dominant clown in the tank and unless you have a large tank this is a huge no-no. Again, people can get away with this if you just have a bunch of juveniles - but eventually one will become dominant, then a pair will be established after a while, then those two clowns will more than likely kill off all the other juvenile/male clowns.
I believe this thread was meant to ask if mixing species of clowns is advisable - which it isn't.
Clowns will always fight until dominance is established. And even then the larger (female) will still pick on the smaller male in a show of dominance. Although I agree with the idea of if you are placing two clowns into a tank try to get one small and one large in hopes that they are already sexed-out and the male and female dominance will be established in a short period of time, I don't agree with your notion that you can continue the cycle of dominance by just continually placing a smaller clown into the mix.
And if I understand what you are saying, then all your clowns are female but the newest member (smallest one)? I don't think this would work, b/c once sexed out they can't become juvenile or male again, therefor making more than one dominant clown in the tank and unless you have a large tank this is a huge no-no. Again, people can get away with this if you just have a bunch of juveniles - but eventually one will become dominant, then a pair will be established after a while, then those two clowns will more than likely kill off all the other juvenile/male clowns.
I believe this thread was meant to ask if mixing species of clowns is advisable - which it isn't.
perfectdark
Active Member
Originally Posted by reefmate75
i know im going to get burned on this one by some of you....if your putting 2 aggrisive clowns together make sure you put a SMALLER one in with the larger one...and if the smaller one fights back with the larger take him out if you can...when putting them together the one in the tank will want to make sure the new commer knows whos boss if the new comer fights back hes as good as dead, but if hes submissive the larger will pick on him for about 2 days and then let him be.....reason i say put a smaller one with the larger is because if you put a larger with a smaller then it is a sure thing the new comers going to fight back and win the fight but the new comer will not stop till the smaller is dead or removed, ive put perulas together with maroon clowns, marrons are said to be on the meaner side..the far side.. but i have 7 of them together right now and i do plan to add more...as soon as the smaller ones grow alittle more...always add a smaller clown with the larger ones...if they fight back they are going to die
As far as your first part is concerned IMO you are correct. The way to pair clown fish is to make sure the one you are adding is smaller than the one that is established. Your chances for success is higher.
However for the rest of the post I do not agree, how long have all these fish been together for? As juvenilles its not uncommon to see them all get along for a while. As they mature they are going to get more and more territorial and aggressive, especially the maroons.
i know im going to get burned on this one by some of you....if your putting 2 aggrisive clowns together make sure you put a SMALLER one in with the larger one...and if the smaller one fights back with the larger take him out if you can...when putting them together the one in the tank will want to make sure the new commer knows whos boss if the new comer fights back hes as good as dead, but if hes submissive the larger will pick on him for about 2 days and then let him be.....reason i say put a smaller one with the larger is because if you put a larger with a smaller then it is a sure thing the new comers going to fight back and win the fight but the new comer will not stop till the smaller is dead or removed, ive put perulas together with maroon clowns, marrons are said to be on the meaner side..the far side.. but i have 7 of them together right now and i do plan to add more...as soon as the smaller ones grow alittle more...always add a smaller clown with the larger ones...if they fight back they are going to die
As far as your first part is concerned IMO you are correct. The way to pair clown fish is to make sure the one you are adding is smaller than the one that is established. Your chances for success is higher.
However for the rest of the post I do not agree, how long have all these fish been together for? As juvenilles its not uncommon to see them all get along for a while. As they mature they are going to get more and more territorial and aggressive, especially the maroons.
reefmate75
Member
Originally Posted by LexLuethar
I don't know how to respond to that...
Clowns will always fight until dominance is established. And even then the larger (female) will still pick on the smaller male in a show of dominance. Although I agree with the idea of if you are placing two clowns into a tank try to get one small and one large in hopes that they are already sexed-out and the male and female dominance will be established in a short period of time, I don't agree with your notion that you can continue the cycle of dominance by just continually placing a smaller clown into the mix.
And if I understand what you are saying, then all your clowns are female but the newest member (smallest one)? I don't think this would work, b/c once sexed out they can't become juvenile or male again, therefor making more than one dominant clown in the tank and unless you have a large tank this is a huge no-no. Again, people can get away with this if you just have a bunch of juveniles - but eventually one will become dominant, then a pair will be established after a while, then those two clowns will more than likely kill off all the other juvenile/male clowns.
I believe this thread was meant to ask if mixing species of clowns is advisable - which it isn't.
your wrong on one point..and right in another way....clowns stay male not female, they are more like a pack of wolves than anything, the dominate male and female...none of the others get to breed...i have 76 together, 5 of which are maroon clowns, 3 of them are over 2.5 inches long, and the other 2 are small they do not fight each other at all, read up alittle more on clowns and their breeding rights, ive read up on it but i dont agree with all of it, but with my little fellows ive learned a great deal, my breeding pair female is verging on 4inches if not larger, the male is probly a half inch smaller...people told me that the male would always be way smaller than the female...its not true at all...the 2 largest are the breeding pair and the rest in the "hairem" will have to wait for the dominant female or male to die befor they breed...and yes when i add a new one this might sound mean, but all of them do attack the newcomer...as long as the new guy dosent fight back hes ok, i havent lost a maroon this way yet, although when i frist started i almost killed one, he, was a she at the time got beat up real badly, i pulled her out put her in my sump and 4 months later added her back into the main tank....but this time she didnt fight back, and now she is a he and is the mate to the one that almost killed him...theve been breeding for almost 2 years, went from my 75 gallon now into my 150, and they all have been seen in the same RBT, they get along great, the 2 percs i have just stay away, and are tolarated
I don't know how to respond to that...
Clowns will always fight until dominance is established. And even then the larger (female) will still pick on the smaller male in a show of dominance. Although I agree with the idea of if you are placing two clowns into a tank try to get one small and one large in hopes that they are already sexed-out and the male and female dominance will be established in a short period of time, I don't agree with your notion that you can continue the cycle of dominance by just continually placing a smaller clown into the mix.
And if I understand what you are saying, then all your clowns are female but the newest member (smallest one)? I don't think this would work, b/c once sexed out they can't become juvenile or male again, therefor making more than one dominant clown in the tank and unless you have a large tank this is a huge no-no. Again, people can get away with this if you just have a bunch of juveniles - but eventually one will become dominant, then a pair will be established after a while, then those two clowns will more than likely kill off all the other juvenile/male clowns.
I believe this thread was meant to ask if mixing species of clowns is advisable - which it isn't.
your wrong on one point..and right in another way....clowns stay male not female, they are more like a pack of wolves than anything, the dominate male and female...none of the others get to breed...i have 76 together, 5 of which are maroon clowns, 3 of them are over 2.5 inches long, and the other 2 are small they do not fight each other at all, read up alittle more on clowns and their breeding rights, ive read up on it but i dont agree with all of it, but with my little fellows ive learned a great deal, my breeding pair female is verging on 4inches if not larger, the male is probly a half inch smaller...people told me that the male would always be way smaller than the female...its not true at all...the 2 largest are the breeding pair and the rest in the "hairem" will have to wait for the dominant female or male to die befor they breed...and yes when i add a new one this might sound mean, but all of them do attack the newcomer...as long as the new guy dosent fight back hes ok, i havent lost a maroon this way yet, although when i frist started i almost killed one, he, was a she at the time got beat up real badly, i pulled her out put her in my sump and 4 months later added her back into the main tank....but this time she didnt fight back, and now she is a he and is the mate to the one that almost killed him...theve been breeding for almost 2 years, went from my 75 gallon now into my 150, and they all have been seen in the same RBT, they get along great, the 2 percs i have just stay away, and are tolarated
reefmate75
Member
Originally Posted by PerfectDark
As far as your first part is concerned IMO you are correct. The way to pair clown fish is to make sure the one you are adding is smaller than the one that is established. Your chances for success is higher.
However for the rest of the post I do not agree, how long have all these fish been together for? As juvenilles its not uncommon to see them all get along for a while. As they mature they are going to get more and more territorial and aggressive, especially the maroons.
the percs were my frist clowns in the old tank...they have never breeded theyve been together around 4 years, the frist maroon was put in probly 4-6m after the percs.. the maroon beat on the percs for awhile but left them alone after a bit, the percs and maroons DONT like each other they just tolarate each other, the frist maroon i bought was a refugee fish meaning the LFS took her in when someone tried to pair her with another one and failed, i bought her after her fins had grown back, for 20 bucks...then a friend of mine had a friend that wanted to get rid of his maroon clown and asked me if i would take it, i asked how big it was and he said it was about as big as mine i told him to bring it over he did andf i decided to keep her, well needless to say i put the new one in and it beat the hell out of my old one...i took the almost dead fish and put her in the sump for 5-6m and replaced her in the tank but this time she didnt fight back was submissive and the new one let her live and now they are a mated pair over and over again, i dont try and raise the broodlings as far as im concerned its free fish food and none have servived, but i have added more maroons, probly a new one around every 4-8m apart i always get smaller ones then the smallest in my tank, but i can assure you that the 3 and 4th ive added to my tank are not juvies, the last one maybe hes been in there like 3-4m around...ive seen other paired maroons...one giant, and one tiny one, they dont have to be very big to breed...ive spent alot of time plaing with maroon clown fish they are the fish of choice for me...i like them alot...i know some of you think me crule but it works for me and i heard about a guy that has like 30 of them together and has for a long time...i dont think i can get that many in my 150 but i plan to build a 800g in my wall one of these days and they can have all the room they want, but for now ill probly stop when i hit 8 or 9..they are like a little family and mybe one of these days ill read up on breeding, and careing for the broodlings, but that will probly be after i build the 800g and thats a long ways off yet hahaha....ive experamented with them and its all worked out for me without any major blooppers...now i have to ask, have you ever tried to put more then 2 of the same clown together other then perculas??? most people havent because they are told over and over you cant do it, i also have 3 diffrent angels in my tank they will not let you buy 2 angels together here becuase "it cant be dont safely" but it can although i have killed a few of them learning that you should add LARGER then whats in your tank already haha owell enough of this its getting to long...
As far as your first part is concerned IMO you are correct. The way to pair clown fish is to make sure the one you are adding is smaller than the one that is established. Your chances for success is higher.
However for the rest of the post I do not agree, how long have all these fish been together for? As juvenilles its not uncommon to see them all get along for a while. As they mature they are going to get more and more territorial and aggressive, especially the maroons.
the percs were my frist clowns in the old tank...they have never breeded theyve been together around 4 years, the frist maroon was put in probly 4-6m after the percs.. the maroon beat on the percs for awhile but left them alone after a bit, the percs and maroons DONT like each other they just tolarate each other, the frist maroon i bought was a refugee fish meaning the LFS took her in when someone tried to pair her with another one and failed, i bought her after her fins had grown back, for 20 bucks...then a friend of mine had a friend that wanted to get rid of his maroon clown and asked me if i would take it, i asked how big it was and he said it was about as big as mine i told him to bring it over he did andf i decided to keep her, well needless to say i put the new one in and it beat the hell out of my old one...i took the almost dead fish and put her in the sump for 5-6m and replaced her in the tank but this time she didnt fight back was submissive and the new one let her live and now they are a mated pair over and over again, i dont try and raise the broodlings as far as im concerned its free fish food and none have servived, but i have added more maroons, probly a new one around every 4-8m apart i always get smaller ones then the smallest in my tank, but i can assure you that the 3 and 4th ive added to my tank are not juvies, the last one maybe hes been in there like 3-4m around...ive seen other paired maroons...one giant, and one tiny one, they dont have to be very big to breed...ive spent alot of time plaing with maroon clown fish they are the fish of choice for me...i like them alot...i know some of you think me crule but it works for me and i heard about a guy that has like 30 of them together and has for a long time...i dont think i can get that many in my 150 but i plan to build a 800g in my wall one of these days and they can have all the room they want, but for now ill probly stop when i hit 8 or 9..they are like a little family and mybe one of these days ill read up on breeding, and careing for the broodlings, but that will probly be after i build the 800g and thats a long ways off yet hahaha....ive experamented with them and its all worked out for me without any major blooppers...now i have to ask, have you ever tried to put more then 2 of the same clown together other then perculas??? most people havent because they are told over and over you cant do it, i also have 3 diffrent angels in my tank they will not let you buy 2 angels together here becuase "it cant be dont safely" but it can although i have killed a few of them learning that you should add LARGER then whats in your tank already haha owell enough of this its getting to long...
reefmate75
Member
Originally Posted by reefmate75
your wrong on one point..and right in another way....clowns stay male not female, they are more like a pack of wolves than anything, the dominate male and female...none of the others get to breed...i have 76 together, 5 of which are maroon clowns, 3 of them are over 2.5 inches long, and the other 2 are small they do not fight each other at all, read up alittle more on clowns and their breeding rights, ive read up on it but i dont agree with all of it, but with my little fellows ive learned a great deal, my breeding pair female is verging on 4inches if not larger, the male is probly a half inch smaller...people told me that the male would always be way smaller than the female...its not true at all...the 2 largest are the breeding pair and the rest in the "hairem" will have to wait for the dominant female or male to die befor they breed...and yes when i add a new one this might sound mean, but all of them do attack the newcomer...as long as the new guy dosent fight back hes ok, i havent lost a maroon this way yet, although when i frist started i almost killed one, he, was a she at the time got beat up real badly, i pulled her out put her in my sump and 4 months later added her back into the main tank....but this time she didnt fight back, and now she is a he and is the mate to the one that almost killed him...theve been breeding for almost 2 years, went from my 75 gallon now into my 150, and they all have been seen in the same RBT, they get along great, the 2 percs i have just stay away, and are tolarated
that says 76, its suppost to say 7
your wrong on one point..and right in another way....clowns stay male not female, they are more like a pack of wolves than anything, the dominate male and female...none of the others get to breed...i have 76 together, 5 of which are maroon clowns, 3 of them are over 2.5 inches long, and the other 2 are small they do not fight each other at all, read up alittle more on clowns and their breeding rights, ive read up on it but i dont agree with all of it, but with my little fellows ive learned a great deal, my breeding pair female is verging on 4inches if not larger, the male is probly a half inch smaller...people told me that the male would always be way smaller than the female...its not true at all...the 2 largest are the breeding pair and the rest in the "hairem" will have to wait for the dominant female or male to die befor they breed...and yes when i add a new one this might sound mean, but all of them do attack the newcomer...as long as the new guy dosent fight back hes ok, i havent lost a maroon this way yet, although when i frist started i almost killed one, he, was a she at the time got beat up real badly, i pulled her out put her in my sump and 4 months later added her back into the main tank....but this time she didnt fight back, and now she is a he and is the mate to the one that almost killed him...theve been breeding for almost 2 years, went from my 75 gallon now into my 150, and they all have been seen in the same RBT, they get along great, the 2 percs i have just stay away, and are tolarated
that says 76, its suppost to say 7