Adding a Clown?

[cinematek]

I have a 25G reef - it's been up and running for 7 weeks now.

Trites/trates: 0, or almost 0.
pH: 8.2 or so on average
KH: 220-280 or so
ammonia: near 0

I added some snails and crabs about a week and a half ago and they all seem like they are doing fine.

I think my tank is ready for a fish or two. What do you all think baout clowns? Any recommendations of one type over another? Pair or single? etc...

My tank is 12x24x20.

 

[taillonjohn]

buy a pair.... they are so cool to watch swimming together, you'll love it.. if your lucky, even a chance they'll mate. BUT, make sure what type of clown you buy if you do buy a pair, some are not good together in 2's, like tomato clowns for example. personally, I think percula clowns are the nicest looking, and they go good in pairs.

 

[papagimp]

I recommend the Ocellaris personally. And if ya like them, the black and white variety is awesome looking. I would also recommend you get two of them, and make sure their both juviniles. Better chance of getting a male/female pair. Odds are they will mate eventually, it just takes time for them to reach that point. I know for a fact, both ocellaris and perculas are hermaphroditic and if you obtain two small juvi's, odds are in your favor that you end up with a mated pair. I'm unsure how this pertains to other clown species but I would imagine them to be very similar.

and if you have money just falling out of your pockets, the Picasso Clowns are kinda interesting.

 

[Joshua1023]

With two juvenile clowns the larger of the two will turn into a female. All juveniles are male.

My favorite is the saddleback clown.

 

[OrangeKoi]

clarkii love to nest in Bubble Tip Anemonae though you'ld have to wait awhile to add the BTA.

Get aquacultued fish/anemonae whenever you can. Gives homes to those bred in our tanks.

 

[SquidHC]

Just keep in mind that imo if you get a pair of clowns its probably about all your tank will be able to handle. Make sure that clowns is what you want if thats what you get. You may be able to add like 1 more small fish but I think thats absolute max for that tank. If you do try adding a third fish in the mix make sure its something that doesnt share the same space as the clowns. Add something like a blennie or something that lives in the rocks/sand as opposed to a fish that likes open water better.

I have a pair of black saddleback clowns and I love em.

 

[Joshua1023]

Yeah, the saddlebacks will get pretty big as they mature. I've seen them as big as four inches long already.

 

[ionredline0260]

FYI clarkii are close to being on par with maroon's agression wise. My female clarkii was the most agressive fish I'd ever seen untill she went carpet surfing.

 

[OrangeKoi]

carpet surfing! That sounds so funny but I'll bet you loved your little clarkii.

 

[cinematek]

I'll check out the ocellaris and perculas. Getting a mated pair sounds cool.

If I do add another fish, I want to get a dragonette or something like that so I can watch it dig in the sand.

And coral. Lots of coral eventually. Thanks for the input.

 

[OrangeKoi]

Just remember, if your aim is to get an anemonea, the Bubble Tip Anemonea is the easiest to care for, and Clarkii love BTA!

 

[Snowboarda42]

If you buy one Juvinile Percula (tank raised) and add another like a week later, will they fight? Or possibly pair up?

 

[Joshua1023]

Should pair up if for sure juvenile. Even if you have one for a year that is large, if you add a juvi they should pair up.

 

[OrangeKoi]

If you do that there are methods to add the smaller fish. It might be better to add the smaller fish first then add the larger. You should check out the clown/anemonea forum to see what works best.

 

[serum153]

My maroon is the friendliest fish in my tank...My scopas, maroon, and coral beauty are all lovers that never leave eachothers side.

 

[RTKBA308]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9777740#post9777740 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ionredline0260
FYI clarkii are close to being on par with maroon's agression wise. My female clarkii was the most agressive fish I'd ever seen untill she went carpet surfing.

Yep, I just had to get rid of my Clarkii. He took a chunk out of one of my Wrasses' tail . Then, he continually hunted for him . He would chase every fish I had, except the Blenny. I put him in my sump, then gave him to another reefer.