Adding 2nd Clownfish to replace one that died

[mginani]

I had two clownfish for about 3 years. One of them (the dominant female) died about 3 weeks ago. All fish have been fine and parameters are good. The one that is left was very submissive to the clownfish that died and much smaller. I would like to add another clownfish. Can I do this? Should I get one that is bigger so that the current one can resume its role as male?

 

[davocean]

You could get a bigger one, but it would have to be fairly soon and that might mean bypassing QT, or short period of one, that would be the only real issue I could see.

 

[mginani]

Do you mean that the current male will turn female? I am not going to bypass quarantine so should I get a smaller one?

 

[davocean]

Do you mean that the current male will turn female? I am not going to bypass quarantine so should I get a smaller one?

Your male could turn, yes, no one can say how long that may take, so yes, generally speaking it is safer to add a smaller clown.

 

[pilot.darren]

Personally I would add a large female. Your current male shouldn't change sex for awhile and will attach better with a female right off the start.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

It's always a best bet to get a sub one inch one when replacing a lost one from a pair whether it be female or male. You are assured of getting a male or non sexed one and it usually works out better than getting a large known female IMO.