150g with established pair of ocellaris...can I add more?

[ReefyRoy]

I have an established 150g tank (5'x2'x2') with a pair of ocellaris clowns that have been there for about 8 months. They're about 2.5 inches each, and are nice as can be. They hang out behind a big chunk of rock work, (I think) being hosted by one of my returns.

I was at my LFS recently and saw a beautiful pair of black clowns and the madness started to overtake me! I resisted the temptation, however, knowing my friends on RC would either talk me IN or OUT of it.

So, will they fight? Is the tank big enough to not worry? Does size of the new clown(s) matter? Is it better to get 2 instead of 1? Ocellaris or percula?

Roy

 

[snorvich]

The odds are strongly against you.

 

[niter]

I could have written this post several times and I am curious to see the answer as I have seen mentions here and there for both sides (yea vs. neigh). As much as I want a black pair, our oranges are well established and I would not disrupt that. Still, just for personal reference, I'd like to know what people weigh in with this topic.

 

[niter]

The odds are strongly against you.

This is more what I was thinking (still curious about the responses since I'd like to learn more about clownfish). I look at my established pair and just think to leave well enough alone.

 

[Korrine]

Chances are when they encounter each other they will fight and it won't be pretty. What you didn't say is if your current clowns host in something and if they stay close to it? I'd be inclined to try if that's the case. Add a nem or something on the opposite side of the tank for the new clowns. Of course this could end in disaster as well. So basically it's up to you based on the current behaviors of your current clowns.

 

[ReefyRoy]

They don't host in anything, but just hang out in the back of the tank, smack dab in the middle, right over the closed-loop return.

 

[Toddrtrex]

It might work in the short term, but once one of the pairs starts to spawn, all bets are off.

 

[twon8]

I recently added a third clown to a 300 with a well established larger pair and there was no aggression. The larger pair have been spawning for years and there are four rbta's for the 3 of them.

 

[MrTuskfish]

There are exceptions to everything in this hobby. But, IMO & IME, a mated pair of clowns is as territorial as any fish I know of. Getting mated clowns to accept ANY tankmate can be tough, accepting other clowns almost impossible. Ocellaris and maybe skunks aren't as nasty as most, but still guard their territory fiercely. Their territory can easily be bigger than any tank we usually keep.

 

[Toddrtrex]

There are exceptions to everything in this hobby. But, IMO & IME, a mated pair of clowns is as territorial as any fish I know of. Getting mated clowns to accept ANY tankmate can be tough, accepting other clowns almost impossible. Ocellaris and maybe skunks aren't as nasty as most, but still guard their territory fiercely. Their territory can easily be bigger than any tank we usually keep.

My mated pink skunks were (( had to sell them because of it )) meaner then my mated Clarkiis -- the way they went after my dwarf angels was shocking.

 

[ReefyRoy]

Well sounds like this is yet another reason for me to get a 2nd tank!

 

[MrTuskfish]

My mated pink skunks were (( had to sell them because of it )) meaner then my mated Clarkiis -- the way they went after my dwarf angels was shocking.

I thing a mated pair of clowns, any species, could drive off an adult Clown trigger.

 

[Rascalson]

Well sounds like this is yet another reason for me to get a 2nd tank!

Ahhhh so now we get to the real purpose of the question:spin2: