Adding a new clown

[Susie Q360]

Ok I have a few questions and need some advice. I got everything under control and even set up a isolation tank. I got a new clown for my son before he had dental surgery. Our present clown is 1.5 in long and 1 in tall. We‘ve had it for about 3 weeks. From what I’ve read the larger clown would be the d. female. And that a clown this size is all ready sexed. So I special ordered the smallest clown that the lfs could get so I shouldn’t have a problem with putting them together. It came in while I was in Lexington for his surgery. Well my husband did everything to get it into the tank (an air stone, 2 hour drip acclimating regulated with a valve, and then floated for 30 min), .
Well our bigger clown and the smaller clown started swimming around together. The bigger clown then proceeded to back it’s tail fin up to the little one. After a while the clowns started just swimming around.
Now the trouble started the big clown stated grabbing the smaller clown’s fins. Before he could get it out of the tank, the bigger clown killed the little one. So now we have a 4 yr old in pain and begging for another “nemo”.
What did we do wrong? Any suggestions will be welcomed.

This is the bigger clown.

 

[Genghis]

You'll want a smaller clown that is willing to submit and "shutter" at the female. I'd probably also try to keep them separated but a tank divider or a floating breeder for a little while before you release them together. This allows you to see how aggresive she will be towards to new fish. Patience is key. Good luck.

 

[Susie Q360]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12923962#post12923962 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Genghis
You'll want a smaller clown that is willing to submit and "shutter" at the female. I'd probably also try to keep them separated but a tank divider or a floating breeder for a little while before you release them together. This allows you to see how aggresive she will be towards to new fish. Patience is key. Good luck.

I'm not tring to breed them I just want my son to be happy. I'm planning to go to the pet store today when I take my pom to the vet and get another clown. Hopefully I can get another one if not I'll order one. I've got a breedery from when I had my fresh water fish. I plan to put the new clown in it but it has no lid. Would it be ok to use plastic wrap or press & seal to seal the top so that it doesn't jump out of the breedery? Oh by the way they are Percula clowns.

 

[a4twenty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12925046#post12925046 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Susie Q360
I'm not tring to breed them

that doesn't matter, you need to put a juvenile in the tank. the clown in there has become a female and will not accept the same size or larger clown. you need to add a small juvenile that will turn into a male, this is just how clownfish work, 1 female, 1 male and the rest remain juveniles waiting for a chance to move up

then you will have two happy nemo's

 

[9501gle]

Seems pretty hit and miss with paring clowns. You may go through a few before she finds one she likes.