2 pairs - How much longer should I give them to get along?

[AliKat]

I've had success with keeping two pairs of clowns in one tank. Today I put a 2 juvenile B&W ocellaris in with my perculas (who aren't very old themselves). The perculas have been chasing the ocellaris out of their anemones, but it doesn't seem like they are playing real rough.

Here's the question... At what point do I take the ocellaris out of the tank? I certainly don't want them to get hurt. I know in the beginning they will all need to get used to each other, but I don't know how long I give them before I pull the ocellaris out.

 

[reefman13]

I would take them out now. The stress from just being chased around the tank is enough to leave them vulnerable to sickness.

 

[mobert]

If you can rearrange your tank such that there are anemones on opposite sides and where the two pairs can't see each other when they are in their anemones then you have a chance that they may respect each others space. Unless your clowns are tank raised, you really have no idea if they are really juveniles. All of my clowns are 2 years 8 months and there are a few that still look like babies while most look like adults. They can change sex in a month if left on their own so you have no guarantee of their sex. If the Percs are just chasing the Ocellaris away from the anemone and then leaves them alone, they might do OK. If the Percs chase them down beyond the anemone I would take them out now. With clowns, it usually gets worse rather than better.