Clowns Getting Along

[discretekarma]

I have a medium sized Tomato Clown in my 180 gallon tank. I also have two GBTA's. Someone told me that I'd be ok if I added more clowns. I've been wanted to get a mated pair of tomato clowns or other clowns. Can I really add more?

 

Thanks

Edited October 11, 2007 by discretekarma

[jnguyen4007]

I heard from one of the members that your tank needs to be at least 6 ft long in order for you to have a mated pair and another one or two clowns in the same tank.

[traveller7]

If you are interested in long term harmony, stick with one pair of clowns per tank.

 

My 288gal(bowfront 88"Lx28"Wx32"D) has not been enough space for more then one pair of Chrysopterus, Clarkii, Maroons, Nigripes, or Skunks. Fine for a few weeks, months, or even a year leads to a beat up pair at some point.

 

Feel free to experiment, but be prepared to remove fish at the most inconvenient time :>)

[wreck]

If you are interested in long term harmony, stick with one pair of clowns per tank.

 

My 288gal(bowfront 88"Lx28"Wx32"D) has not been enough space for more then one pair of Chrysopterus, Clarkii, Maroons, Nigripes, or Skunks. Fine for a few weeks, months, or even a year leads to a beat up pair at some point.

 

Feel free to experiment, but be prepared to remove fish at the most inconvenient time :>)

[wreck]

I love Tomato Clowns, I'm raising babies now that you can have. If you have one tomato now, you would want to get another tomato that is smaller and see if they get along. How big is your tomato clown?

Rick "Wreck"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did either pair ever lay eggs?

 

If you are interested in long term harmony, stick with one pair of clowns per tank.

 

My 288gal(bowfront 88"Lx28"Wx32"D) has not been enough space for more then one pair of Chrysopterus, Clarkii, Maroons, Nigripes, or Skunks. Fine for a few weeks, months, or even a year leads to a beat up pair at some point.

 

Feel free to experiment, but be prepared to remove fish at the most inconvenient time :>)

[discretekarma]

About 2".

 

[traveller7]

Did either pair ever lay eggs?

If you are referring to mine, every pair of clowns that has gone through the 288 has laid eggs ;>) The list above are only the pairs which were aggressive with other pairs in the tank. The perculas and black ocellaris were stay at home parents and did not wander far from the breeding location. Most of my pairs have found their way to WAMAS members or full time breeders. Currently down to 3 prs.

 

Exception: the Chryopterus was a single which I was trying to pair with an orange skunk, never bonded well.

[discretekarma]

PM sent

 

I love Tomato Clowns, I'm raising babies now that you can have. If you have one tomato now, you would want to get another tomato that is smaller and see if they get along. How big is your tomato clown?

Rick "Wreck"

Did either pair ever lay eggs?

[wreck]

Traveller,

Are your three pairs in the 288 together?

Wreck

 

If you are referring to mine, every pair of clowns that has gone through the 288 has laid eggs ;>) The list above are only the pairs which were aggressive with other pairs in the tank. The perculas and black ocellaris were stay at home parents and did not wander far from the breeding location. Most of my pairs have found their way to WAMAS members or full time breeders. Currently down to 3 prs.

 

Exception: the Chryopterus was a single which I was trying to pair with an orange skunk, never bonded well.

[traveller7]

Traveller,

Are your three pairs in the 288 together?

Wreck

Not any longer, only the Nigripes left in the 288. The B&W ocellaris and Chyrsogasters are in dedicated tanks. 288 comes down this weekend.

[wreck]

Any chance of me getting the larvae from a hatch? I have rotifers and greenwater and have been successful raising Tomato Clownfish larvae.

Wreck

 

Not any longer, only the Nigripes left in the 288. The B&W ocellaris and Chyrsogasters are in dedicated tanks. 288 comes down this weekend.

[FishWife]

Can I butt in with a slightly different clown question, please? (Thanks! )

 

I fell in love with a pretty face and bought a small, young (between 1-2 years old, because she's small--less than two inches--but her stripes have yellowed nicely) maroon yellow-stripe clownfish. I had wanted a matched pair for my 80 bow, but this one was SO cute... well, we grabbed her.

 

Now, what's the collective wisdom from you breeders and experts? Can I add another small maroon clown in the future or not?

[zotzer]

 

Now, what's the collective wisdom from you breeders and experts? Can I add another small maroon clown in the future or not?

 

I'm no expert, but there is a wonderful post about it over on RC. You have to be very careful with maroons.

 

Basically, you get the smallest one you can find from a "community" tank (ie: a fish store where they have several young ones all in the same tank). Then get one of those mesh breeder things that hang inside your tank (or a clear container with some holes drilled in it for flow). This way, the female can see the little guy, but not hurt him.

 

If she is not constantly attacking the container, you can release the young one, but be ready and standing by with a net to save him...in case she tries to kill him.

 

Also, recognize that if he rolls on his side and twitches when she charges him, that this is normal submissive behavior. She should stop "attacking" him when he does this, and it's a good sign.

 

If you try this three times without success, time to return to the LFS and try a new fish.

 

Good luck!

Tracy

[traveller7]

Any chance of me getting the larvae from a hatch? I have rotifers and greenwater and have been successful raising Tomato Clownfish larvae.

Wreck

After moving the last pair and fulfilling prior obligations, there may be batches available. I don't expect to reach that stage until spring.

 

Now, what's the collective wisdom from you breeders and experts? Can I add another small maroon clown in the future or not?

The only thing I would add to Tracy's post is to expect the female to be rough on the juvenile, it is quite normal and the behavior will come and go just to keep junior in line.

 

The big issue, the little one must submit, repeatedly and the dominant fish much recognize it and eventually back off.

 

The bigger the difference in size, the more successful the trend.

 

Good luck

[FishWife]

After moving the last pair and fulfilling prior obligations, there may be batches available. I don't expect to reach that stage until spring.

 

The only thing I would add to Tracy's post is to expect the female to be rough on the juvenile, it is quite normal and the behavior will come and go just to keep junior in line.

 

The big issue, the little one must submit, repeatedly and the dominant fish much recognize it and eventually back off.

 

The bigger the difference in size, the more successful the trend.

 

Good luck

 

Right now, the one I have has not yet been introduced to our display tank, which is new and in which there are currently no other fish. We plan to do that this weekend for the first time. Is there any wisdom to introducing the second (new) maroon clownfish at the same time? OR would that complicate things, since our current fish would already be disoriented and "cranky" I wonder. TIA!

Edited October 11, 2007 by FishWife

[zotzer]

Hopefully Traveller will chime back in and help you on that one. I just tried to introduce the little perc into the tank, after he's been in the mesh breeder for a few days, and I could only take a minute of the beating he was getting, so he's back in the "safe zone".

 

I'm wondering if I should swap them....put HER in the mesh "time out" for a week, and let him loose in the tank during that time. Will try to grab her after lights out and make the swap.

 

She could always go solo back to the nano (the same exact tank she lived in before I got her) and buy another baby perc to pair up with this one. It's just really neat having a pair to watch. :(

 

Tracy

[traveller7]

FishWife,

 

In my experience with maroons, a mature and well established female 3" in size paired with a new juvenile <1" is best. The key is submission of the juvenile and comfort of the female. I would go forward with the single and grow her out. Might be a good idea to wait for a local captive bred juvenile or to buy from a dealer tank and QT for 2weeks prior to adding it to main system.

 

Tracy,

 

A bit of a beating is normal and quite necessary to get them to bond. It can be quite upsetting to see a bigger one grab junior by the pectoral fin and shake "him" around, but it is part of the process. Unless the fish has fins getting chewed off, or multiple cuts on the body, let them sort it out. Torn fins are quite normal and will heal quickly in absence of bacterial/fungal infection and surrounded with quality water.

 

Cheers.

[zotzer]

A bit of a beating is normal and quite necessary to get them to bond. It can be quite upsetting to see a bigger one grab junior by the pectoral fin and shake "him" around, but it is part of the process. Unless the fish has fins getting chewed off, or multiple cuts on the body, let them sort it out. Torn fins are quite normal and will heal quickly in absence of bacterial/fungal infection and surrounded with quality water.

 

Should I add now, during "lights on" and when I can keep an eye on them, or at night like you would when adding a new fish?

 

Yikes....maybe I need to have a beer first. This new little guy is so tiny...his stripes aren't even filled in yet.

 

Tracy

[traveller7]

Should I add now, during "lights on" and when I can keep an eye on them, or at night like you would when adding a new fish?

 

Yikes....maybe I need to have a beer first. This new little guy is so tiny...his stripes aren't even filled in yet.

 

Tracy

Lights on when you are around to check on them.

 

I would expect a few attacks, the little guy to figure it out and start doing the little dance, a few more attacks and it to be over with in <10mins.

 

The dominant fish will keep reminding junior over the next few years, don't be surprised ;>)

[zotzer]

I would expect a few attacks, the little guy to figure it out and start doing the little dance, a few more attacks and it to be over with in <10mins.

 

Okay, start the timer. I will try to tough it out!

 

Thanks for your help!!!

Tracy

 

eeep...she really did grab him by the tail and shake him!

 

Right now, she seems to be taking a breather. It was a merry chase there for a bit. Not as bad this time as the first, though. Maybe the worst is over, as she will swim up to him now, and then just swim away, rather than attack him.

 

Thanks for the pointers, Traveller!!

Tracy

[FishWife]

FishWife,

 

In my experience with maroons, a mature and well established female 3" in size paired with a new juvenile <1" is best. The key is submission of the juvenile and comfort of the female. I would go forward with the single and grow her out. Might be a good idea to wait for a local captive bred juvenile or to buy from a dealer tank and QT for 2weeks prior to adding it to main system.

 

Cheers.

 

THANKS so much!

[discretekarma]

I just added the baby Tomato from Wreck and all seems well so far. It's been in there several hours and all the bigger Tomato has done is push the little one around a little but nothing too serious.

 

Thanks again Wreck for the beautiful new addition.

 

I'll post pics in this post when I get a chance.

[wreck]

That's great, sounds like they might get along well. Keep me informed of the progress, he's one of the first ones that I've given away.

Wreck

 

I just added the baby Tomato from Wreck and all seems well so far. It's been in there several hours and all the bigger Tomato has done is push the little one around a little but nothing too serious.

 

Thanks again Wreck for the beautiful new addition.

 

I'll post pics in this post when I get a chance.

[zotzer]

Well, it didn't work out so well here. Every five minutes or so, the female would give chase to the little guy. The grabbing and shaking was quite brutal, but I kept checking and he didn't seem injured.

 

He would try to hide, but never really did the "lay down and wiggle" thing. At one point, I had to fish him out of the fuge pre-skimmer.

 

Things had actually calmed down, and I ran to the grocery store for half an hour. No sign of the little perc on my return. Not on the floor, not hiding, no where that I can find him at all. :(

 

Lord only knows......

 

crap

 

Kismet may need to spend her days solo in the nano (she is a gorgeous onyx true perc), and I'll have to get a pair for the main tank. What usually hosts in an LTA? Time to go do some more research.

 

Hope it works better for everyone else. If Junior turns up, will let you know...but I've looked everywhere!!

 

Tracy

Edited October 11, 2007 by zotzer

[zotzer]

Junior is ALIVE!!! I just fed the fish. He is hiding under the giant red mushrooms on the mushroom rock!!

 

Crazy darned fish....they are all giving me fits this week!

 

tracy