Adding a clown to make a pair?

[mosesbrown]

Can I tell if my O. Clown in a male or female. I am unsure of its age but the clown is 2.5 to 3 inches long. I have heard of two small clowns that are raised together will alway turn to be one male and one female. I am afraid this clown is too old for that. If I added a juvinile clown. Do you think it would grow to be the opposite sex? Will two males or females get along OK?

 

[MimicTang]

If the clown has been alone for 6mths or more its 99% change its truned into a female.

 

[mosesbrown]

If this is a female most likely then if I add a small clown of the same type will it turn to be opposite and be a male. I know there are no guarentees but, is that likely. Or will that single small clown not react to the larger female because of their size difference.

John

 

[The0wn4g3]

I don't recommend trying to mate a juv. clown with an adult clown.
I tried to do this with my O. clown also (about 2.5inches) and the juvi clown couldn't take the stress and died. I added another somewhat larger juvi clown about 6 months later. He also couldn't take the stress of having a much larger clown in the tank and died in a few days.

I believe the odds of getting a juvi clown mated with an adult clown are very, very slim.

 

[Bebo77]

i just added a baby juvi to my 1 year old per no problem...

 

[mosesbrown]

This does not bode well for this clown. She will grow up to be an "Old Made":-(

Any other's had any luck? Or, is this really a lost cause?

John

 

[The0wn4g3]

I've wanted to try keeping the juvi clown in one of those clear floating "hospital tanks". My juvi clowns seemed so intimidated when I added them they were always breathing hard and never got a chance to eat. Perhaps you can keep both clowns in contact with each other but protect the small clown in the "hospital tank" thing?
Worth a try I suppose. If it works for you I may have to try it! haha

 

[mosesbrown]

Bebo,
How long have they been together?
How large is your system?
Are there many other fish in the tank with them?

Sorry for all the question, but I am trying to gauge why your experience would be so different from "The Own"'s.

Thanks,
John

 

[Bebo77]

they have been together for almost 4 months now... they are in a 14g tank with 1 other chromis

to be honest.. thats one of the few times i have heard someone having a problem mating clowns...

 

[Lion_Babe]

I have been able to add a small clown with a larger one without any problems. One of my tanks has five and all are doing well. They dance and play all the time.

 

[smacdone]

You might also try adding a larger clown. This will take away the dominance your clown now has over the tank it it will probably turn male. i did this with my maroon clown and the two get along

 

[TheSaladCo]

Be careful!

Be careful!

I have tried twice to mate my Clarkii.
She is about 2.5" and will not tolerate another clown ... period.
The poor juveniles have disappeared after about a day.
Not sure if it is possible, but I suspect she fed both to the anemone.