adding 4th ocellaris

[Nyx1961]

I have a 150g mixed reef. I currently have three ocellaris, two Darwins, one normal, sharing a BTA with no problems. I want to add a 4th ocellaris to the mix. I tried using the directions here of putting a smaller one in but that didn't work out. Next day, the little on was gone without a trace. According to Joyce Wilkerson's clownfish book, ocellaris can be kept with more than one pair in a tank and surely, we have room in ours, given the size. The three existing clowns are still young and haven't formed a pair among them as of yet. Any suggestions?

 

[davocean]

My guess would be you will still end up w/ only 2(if you're lucky) after they mature.

 

[MrTuskfish]

My guess would be you will still end up w/ only 2(if you're lucky) after they mature.

I agree. IME&IMO; a pair of mature clowns will seldom share a tank with any other clowns (especially newcomers)---regardless of tank size or species. It does happen, but I think it is the exception. When it does work; I'll bet all the clowns were introduced together as juvis.

 

[Krazy]

My surgeons office has a 210 mixed reef with 5 yes 5 percs in the tank, they all swim in a group for the most part, I've never seen that anywhere else...

 

[davocean]

My surgeons office has a 210 mixed reef with 5 yes 5 percs in the tank, they all swim in a group for the most part, I've never seen that anywhere else...

That's cool, I wonder how long he's had them, and how many he started w/?

 

[Toddrtrex]

That's cool, I wonder how long he's had them, and how many he started w/?

And how often he has replaced them.

 

[davocean]

^^LOL, yep, I think part of most doctors office tanks have a maintenece guy, and part of their maintenece list may be replacement fish!

 

[a-T-m]

what's a darwin ocellaris?

 

[Toddrtrex]

what's a darwin ocellaris?

A black and white O. They originated from Darwin Australia. To the best of my knowledge that is the only place that wild caught ones come from.

 

[MarineFlake]

It wasn't pretty for me. I started with 3 b/w clowns and 3 o/w clowns. All to my knowledge were ocellaris. When it was all over, I have 3 clowns. 2 were already a pair and one b/w. I'm not sure, but I *think* having 6 bta's in the tank has helped since they all move about from nem to nem. It took some time and cost me a couple clowns, but they are all happy now. I would not recommend adding any more clowns unless they are added new, not paired. The aggression was quite severe, enough that a couple clowns jumped. It's not for the faint at heart to say the least, watching nature at work can play on emotions that our scaled friends just don't have ; ) best of luck whatever you decide, though if you do go for it, get a lid, you'll need it.

 

[SwampyBill]

Why tempt fate & have more than one pair of clowns per tank? Personally, I don't care how cool a group of clownfish looks; it's just plain cruel & not fair to the fish.