Hello, I recently was given three Juvi ocellaris clowns and they are all three hosting my carpet anemone. They were just given to me and if I have to I don't mid parting with the smallest to save his life but they seem ok for now. Any advice? I was even considering buying a black and white one so the 3rd one will pair with the fourth and maybe host another anemone or frogspawn or Kenya tree or whatever they find. I wouldn't have gotten three at once myself but hey, free is always best. The tank is 6' long, 125 gallon mixed reef
3clowns in one tank?
- Thread starter ERIKtheG
- Start date
I've kept three Ocellaris in one tank, so long as the smallest stays that way. The two largest eventually paired up, laid eggs, etc. The smallest was "forced" to stay just outside reach of the anemone, but no noticeable damage was done. But if you start noticing aggression, disregard my advice and remove the smallest. 
SwampyBill
New member
Not a good idea, longterm...
davocean
Active member
Well, I would let you end it there, but I have to say, it can and most likely will change like overnight.
You just may wake or come home to a dead or badly beaten clown.
I know that is what happened to me long ago when I too thought I could pull it off.
I'll tell you what was told me back then, "check back w/ us in a few months..."
Those words stick w/ me.
You just may wake or come home to a dead or badly beaten clown.
I know that is what happened to me long ago when I too thought I could pull it off.
I'll tell you what was told me back then, "check back w/ us in a few months..."
Those words stick w/ me.
davocean
Active member
When I say this I really mean or want to say it NEVER works out, but there have been exceptions that keep me from saying never.
A fellow reefer girl "showed me"
Her female had the biggest sore on it's lip you can imagine, no wonder it didn't bite anything!
So yeah, that girl proved me wrong...:worried:
OrionN
Moved on
I disagree with most of the posts on this thread. Ocellaris can be keep in group, especially when the tank is large and you have plenty of space for you 3rd, or 4th or 5th or more to get away from the two dominant ones. Ocellaris are mild manner and will live in group. If you have just one anemone, the 3rd one will not get to stay in the anemone unless there is a thread in the tank, or at night.
I have keep multiple Ocellaris and Percula in large and small tanks without problem. I have not recall any of my Ocellaris got beaten to death. There are going to be some abuse at time but they will be fine. I keep them in 20+ gallons. Most of my long term (1+ years) group experiences are in 65 gal or larger.
In a small tank, the third will not pair with the 4th or 5th. They just stay as juveniles. In huge tanks, where they can be completely separate from the other clowns they may mature and become female and male. I have 10 in my 320 g DT. I can see at least 2 pairs starting. I do have 9 host anemones in that tank. Right now, some of the smaller clowns may have light tears on their fins but that is the extend of the fighting.
I have keep multiple Ocellaris and Percula in large and small tanks without problem. I have not recall any of my Ocellaris got beaten to death. There are going to be some abuse at time but they will be fine. I keep them in 20+ gallons. Most of my long term (1+ years) group experiences are in 65 gal or larger.
In a small tank, the third will not pair with the 4th or 5th. They just stay as juveniles. In huge tanks, where they can be completely separate from the other clowns they may mature and become female and male. I have 10 in my 320 g DT. I can see at least 2 pairs starting. I do have 9 host anemones in that tank. Right now, some of the smaller clowns may have light tears on their fins but that is the extend of the fighting.
davocean
Active member
Well, I do normally value and respect your input Minh, but you are speaking about a 320G tank in one setup, and a year or so is still fairly early on to really call it good IMO.
There may be some rare exceptions, specific situations that can seem to work out, but those are the exceptions to the rule generally speaking, and I lean towards the most common outcome and conservative advice for those new enough to the hobby coming on and asking advice.
Hopefully your success continues, and I'm sure you will keep posting or documenting what happens in your own tanks.
There may be some rare exceptions, specific situations that can seem to work out, but those are the exceptions to the rule generally speaking, and I lean towards the most common outcome and conservative advice for those new enough to the hobby coming on and asking advice.
Hopefully your success continues, and I'm sure you will keep posting or documenting what happens in your own tanks.
OrionN
Moved on
I got a breeding SnowOnyx with three juviniles in a 100 g cube and did not have problem for more than 1 year (thin I took the tank down and put everybody to the curent DT minus the breedign pair).
Really, Ocellaris and Percula can be keep in group in all my experieces. I got trio of ocellaris since the old days in late 1990's with my Magnifica. The female were laying regularly
Not all clown fish species are the same.
I agree that in a bare 20 gal, one should not try to keep 3 clown fish. Initially there will be abuse, it the smallest cannot hide, and cannot eat then he will not last long at the begining. Also it the pair got to a territory to chase the third fish out, they often just end the chase when the other fish run out. If there is an anemone that they call home, they will be content with just keep the third one out of it. They go back to their anemone when the third fish run away. They don't go to the corner to keep on punish the third fish that hover right there.
It is really important to have these fish healthy, well feed, and have room to go to or hide when the dominate female beating them up at the begining. Maybe I am sucessful because I always have anemones in my tank and often the tank is a full blown busy reef.
Really, Ocellaris and Percula can be keep in group in all my experieces. I got trio of ocellaris since the old days in late 1990's with my Magnifica. The female were laying regularly
Not all clown fish species are the same.
I agree that in a bare 20 gal, one should not try to keep 3 clown fish. Initially there will be abuse, it the smallest cannot hide, and cannot eat then he will not last long at the begining. Also it the pair got to a territory to chase the third fish out, they often just end the chase when the other fish run out. If there is an anemone that they call home, they will be content with just keep the third one out of it. They go back to their anemone when the third fish run away. They don't go to the corner to keep on punish the third fish that hover right there.
It is really important to have these fish healthy, well feed, and have room to go to or hide when the dominate female beating them up at the begining. Maybe I am sucessful because I always have anemones in my tank and often the tank is a full blown busy reef.
deangelr
Clown Whisperererer
One group that regularly spawns..
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/eh8ht9wpSek" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
another that has a fresh spawn
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hMA9ytBxCXU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
not recommending.. just saying its possible
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/eh8ht9wpSek" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
another that has a fresh spawn
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hMA9ytBxCXU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
not recommending.. just saying its possible
Last edited:
Ok, I decided I'm lucky if it works out with what I already have. If I see signs of aggression that is too much for the third then I will separate them. Hopefully three works out, if not, I have no problem saving the third one. It's stressful enough going between tanks, so I will let them just chill and observe. How interesting will this adventure be? I hope the outcome is good.
Similar threads
