2 pairs of clowns 1 tank ok???

[thefranchizehof]

I love how this topic is almost as controversial as "Evolution vs God". I have heard so many people say no, no, no, no until they are blue in the face. Fact of the matter is, that by understanding the risk, anyone can attempt it. Most will probably be unsuccessful and a few may be successful. I am newer to the hobby but even I know that there is no such thing as "similar" tanks. All tanks are special in their own right from the species living in them to the parameters. Just because Joe Blow had a clown massacre doesn't mean that John Smith is going too also.

I have a couple of different LFS that I respect/trust and haven't steered me wrong (yet). Granted, I know they run a business and want to make money, obviously, but if I am getting "YES" from LFS and "NO" from people who think they are reef kings, I am probably going to go with the people who run a successful business.

I am in no way shape or form trying to shoot down anyone or reject your theories/opinions, but I feel like if someone wants to attempt to do something that isn't exactly the norm in the hobby, they should feel free to try and document their results.

Again, I'm newer to the hobby, and my opinion probably carries as much weight as a grain of salt, but I feel like people have successes that aren't the "norm" every day

 

[bues0022]

I love how this topic is almost as controversial as "Evolution vs God". I have heard so many people say no, no, no, no until they are blue in the face. Fact of the matter is, that by understanding the risk, anyone can attempt it. Most will probably be unsuccessful and a few may be successful. I am newer to the hobby but even I know that there is no such thing as "similar" tanks. All tanks are special in their own right from the species living in them to the parameters. Just because Joe Blow had a clown massacre doesn't mean that John Smith is going too also.

I have a couple of different LFS that I respect/trust and haven't steered me wrong (yet). Granted, I know they run a business and want to make money, obviously, but if I am getting "YES" from LFS and "NO" from people who think they are reef kings, I am probably going to go with the people who run a successful business.

I am in no way shape or form trying to shoot down anyone or reject your theories/opinions, but I feel like if someone wants to attempt to do something that isn't exactly the norm in the hobby, they should feel free to try and document their results.

Again, I'm newer to the hobby, and my opinion probably carries as much weight as a grain of salt, but I feel like people have successes that aren't the "norm" every day

What you are saying is entirely true about not only this issue, but most things in this hobby. If you truly understand the operating parameters in which you are dealing with, you will be successfull, or at least knowledgable enough to pull out before things get too far downhill. The biggest issue, and why most on here advocate entirely against more than one pair per tank, is that it seems most people do not have the situational understanding you have. People want to know will it or won't it work, not truly understand how things work.

*Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day, teach a man a fish and he'll eat for a lifetime.

You understand and want to learn how to fish. Most people just want a fish.

 

[HumbleFish]

I love how this topic is almost as controversial as "Evolution vs God". I have heard so many people say no, no, no, no until they are blue in the face. Fact of the matter is, that by understanding the risk, anyone can attempt it. Most will probably be unsuccessful and a few may be successful. I am newer to the hobby but even I know that there is no such thing as "similar" tanks. All tanks are special in their own right from the species living in them to the parameters. Just because Joe Blow had a clown massacre doesn't mean that John Smith is going too also.

I have a couple of different LFS that I respect/trust and haven't steered me wrong (yet). Granted, I know they run a business and want to make money, obviously, but if I am getting "YES" from LFS and "NO" from people who think they are reef kings, I am probably going to go with the people who run a successful business.

I am in no way shape or form trying to shoot down anyone or reject your theories/opinions, but I feel like if someone wants to attempt to do something that isn't exactly the norm in the hobby, they should feel free to try and document their results.

Again, I'm newer to the hobby, and my opinion probably carries as much weight as a grain of salt, but I feel like people have successes that aren't the "norm" every day

I'm on the opposite end of spectrum, as I've been doing this for 35+ years now. And let me tell ya, my opinion carries no more weight than yours. Things have evolved so much in this hobby that most of what I learned 35 years ago is now obsolete.

When doling out advice, I generally say, "This is what the odds suggest will happen..." Based upon my previous experiences, and those I've known or read about. But there are always exceptions to every rule. So I feel as long as one understands the possible risks, he/she is more than entitled to roll the dice.

Somewhere out there someone is trying to remove a "coral eating" tang from their tank.

Somewhere out there someone is enjoying a Raccoon Butterfly in their fully stocked reef tank.

The odds just don't favour either happening.

 

[mobert]

I think in Mobert's thread, she ended up with 11 clowns when she started with 27 of them.
You can have multiple Ocellaris, Percula and Pink Skunk. These are the most docile of the clowns. However, only done mature pair with the rest immature.

True, I currently have 12 clowns 8+ year old clowns today but my clown deaths were probably caused by my neglect of water quality and lack of feeding. As long as I flood the tank daily with a large ice cube amount of frozen food daily and watch the water parameters all has been well and peaceful.

That being said, if your current clowns swim the entire tank, they will meet up with any new clowns added and a fight would most likely ensue. If the current pair stay close to their anemone/home, and another anemone is located on the opposite side of the tank and not within sight line of the first pair, then your chances of success increases. If you want to further your chances of success, you should also rearrange your whole tank before adding new clowns so your old clowns are not so determined to defend "their" territory. You should also feed the clowns such that they don't have to meet up to eat. A LOT of drifting food throughout the tank helps.
http://youtu.be/-ImQqjuU8m4

If your goal is to have multiple clowns in the same anemone, living happily together, as opposed to two pairs in the tank, then, in addition to doing the above, I would watch the LFS tank of clowns and not pick the more dominant clowns. Smaller, immature younger clowns who are subservient but not victims are the best candidates.

I do not recommend more than one pair of clowns in a tank, but in a 150 gallon or larger, and with the milder clowns, IMO, it is possible with effort and luck.

Mona

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

I have tried this in a 240,with a percs and occys,it lasted about an hr,they would meet in the middle and fight.I had several rbtas on each end of the tank.The only reason I tried this I had another tank ready if it didn't work out.If you have a spare tank ready I say try it.I have a feeling you will be removing one pair.

 

[thefranchizehof]

What you are saying is entirely true about not only this issue, but most things in this hobby. If you truly understand the operating parameters in which you are dealing with, you will be successfull, or at least knowledgable enough to pull out before things get too far downhill. The biggest issue, and why most on here advocate entirely against more than one pair per tank, is that it seems most people do not have the situational understanding you have. People want to know will it or won't it work, not truly understand how things work.

*Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day, teach a man a fish and he'll eat for a lifetime.

You understand and want to learn how to fish. Most people just want a fish.

Thank you for the support and respecting my ideas/thoughts. I appreciate it. Like I said, I'm far, far, far from a seasoned aquarist, but I just feel like this debate/topic isn't black and white. It's not YES it will work and it's not NO it won't work.

Results will vary from tank to tank.

 

[reeffreak75]

not to cause a war, but i have a 120g 4x2x2, and I have a pair of oc, a pair of picassos, and a blue line clarkii (if that's correct name?), and they live peacefully. but what i do notice, is that fishes seem to get along better when theres lots of fishes. if there's only a few/couple of other fishes, and you have two pairs of clowns, they will seek out each other and fight. It works for me, and always have (used to have pair of onyx, pair of b/w oc, and a maroon in a 180g and they coexisted peacefully as well) but I have lots of fish (I mean A LOT!), more than the "god of reef aquariums" will ever allow LOL, but everything thrives and do just fine.
I suggest that you only do it if theres a good amount of fish in your tank, this seems to usually have them distracted and the clowns almost kind of stick together (all species) somehow, at least for me.
JUST SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE, I'M NO EXPERT (FAR FROM IT ACTUALLY). YOU MAY EXPERIENCE SOMETHING DIFFERENT, DO IT AT YOUR OWN RISK, I'M NOT RELIABLE IF YOUR FISHES GO NUTS LOL. But all jokes aside, this hobby is all about trying different things, and doing what works best for you, some "god of reef aquariums" may go crazy on you (like i may be getting myself into here) but if in the end, you get the result you wish, then the method of getting there is only our own unique approach.
I SAY, GO FOR IT!!

Wow!! I couldnt said it any better!cheers!!!!

 

[sh0ck]

In long tank I can think of this working with luck - if they dont fight over anemone or anemone dont move at all and both pairs have their own. But than any spike happen, nem move or whatever and u end up with 1 pair in an hour.

In 4 foot I would not expect anything more than "temporary" peace. Mby if anemones are on opposite corners glass. Spawning defense territories just overlap otherwise.

 

[FTDelta]

So be it. No matter what suggestion/opinion/advice is given here, you will do whatever you want. It's your money, your tank, do whatever tickles your fancy. If it's really about wanting to hear a couple posters say "Yes, it can be done" by all means do it. I guess being a responsible marine aquarist is not your thing. Good luck.

 

[thefranchizehof]

I just wanna share my most recent experiment. Lasted 15 hours.

I have an established pair in my 75 gallon. Broke down and bought this pair of Snow Onyx clowns last night. Everything was great to start as they just checked each other out. Came home from running errands and the established pair was pushing my new ones all over the place. So, sadly, I had to get rid of my old pair. It sucks because the monetary value of the new ones was greater than the sentimental value of the old

Just wanted to share this with you all. Every tank is different and no two fish are the same. I know this sounds ironic after my longer "rant" earlier in this post, but just wanted to share.

 

[sonoma2nv]

why make fish fight.this subject is hit or miss its all dependent on the fish but 90% its ends is one of the pairs dead,theresa a sarch button for a reason dont be lazy.a reef is not for someone thats lazy

 

[FTDelta]

Thank you for the support and respecting my ideas/thoughts. I appreciate it. Like I said, I'm far, far, far from a seasoned aquarist, but I just feel like this debate/topic isn't black and white. It's not YES it will work and it's not NO it won't work.

Results will vary from tank to tank.

No it doesn't vary from tank to tank.

With all due respect, this is usually a typical response from someone who doesn't want to believe it can't be done regardless of others' experiences or responses. No matter what anyone says, 9 times out of 10 they will do it in spite of of all. Like I always say - it's your tank, your money, do what you want. It will be a bitter pill to swallow once you find out the hard way when you realize you should have heeded the advice given to you. Good luck.