2 pairs in one tank?

[Chelsey]

I have one pair of picassos in my 40 gallon breeder, and someday I would like to get a pair of snowflakes. What are the odds of them getting along and doing fine in a tank of this size?

 

[traveller7]

Long term? Slim for an established pair to allow another to move in next door.

 

[Slakker]

Second that. You'd likely have to upgrade to a much, much larger tank, but it would be best to set up a separate system for the new clowns.

 

[Chelsey]

That's what I was figuring Does it make a difference that there's no anemone in my tank?

 

[Slakker]

Nope. I'd say that even if you were to have an anemone for each pair (which I've always thought was silly...to assume that you could somehow ensure that one pair would take to each anemone and not care about the other one) there still wouldn't be enough room in a 40br for the clowns to establish their territory without it overlapping and causing aggression.

Clowns may not venture far from their anemone, but they sure will defend quite a large area.

 

[sprinj76]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11138824#post11138824 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Slakker
Nope. I'd say that even if you were to have an anemone for each pair (which I've always thought was silly...to assume that you could somehow ensure that one pair would take to each anemone and not care about the other one) there still wouldn't be enough room in a 40br for the clowns to establish their territory without it overlapping and causing aggression.

Clowns may not venture far from their anemone, but they sure will defend quite a large area.

Slakker is good Slakker is wise (cheesy rip off of a Twister quote). Very good advice though.

 

[Chelsey]

Thanks guys If there's one thing I don't want to do it's jepordize the health of either of those two pairs, both already existing and future!

 

[tpdpercula]

I agree with Scott and everyone else. Though there is a CHANCE that you will be lucky and have 2 pair that get along (short term), I don't think success will be on your side. I have tried to have 2 pair in a 300 with no success. My advice to you, set up another 40 B next to the Picassos and have 2 awesome tanks where your investments would be safe from each pair. Better to be safe then sorry. Just my advice/ 2 cents though. Best of luck and lets see some pics.