adding a ocellaris clown early on. could this be bad?

[smcdonn]

Alright. there is a possibility that I will have a chance to get a ocellaris clown for free tommorow. I just want to make sure I'm not making a bad decision. I want to add other fish to this tank and really wanted a pair of clowns. is it possible to add another clown to the tank if this one is in there already. there is nothing in the tank other than a cleaner shrimp. its a 75 gallon tank. So good idea or bad. Or choice three, need more information? thanks for the help

 

[stykthyn]

It should be fine. How large is the clown you are getting? If it is juvenile size 1-1.5" then I would add a similar size clown along with it and introduce the 2 of them together.

 

[smcdonn]

I am not sure the size of him yet. I think a guy is going to trade me him for some xenia. would it be a bad idea to add him now then try and add another one later?

 

[Toddrtrex]

What do you mean by "later" ? Weeks, months, years?

 

[smcdonn]

probably weeks. but I was also wanting to add a midas blenny and a few other fish. is adding the clown first going to mess this up. And I was originally wanting a pair of clowns. This is where I think I am going wrong as I hear it is hard to add a clown to a tank that already has one. Sorry but I am REALLY new to this. Thanks for all the help

 

[Toddrtrex]

IMO a couple of weeks should be too much of an issue. You would be better off getting two small ones. Now it the one you get first is on the larger side, there is a very good chance that it is already a female, if that is the case, make sure that the second one is a good deal smaller. Which should indicate that it is still a male.

 

[smcdonn]

Alright, I'll give it a try

 

[TOURKID]

You have to tell me where the fish u are getting is coming from. Is it with a larger clown right now? If it is by itself, how long has it been by itself?

Clowns start sexless. then male. and if there are no other clowns around, or it is the most dominate, it then becomes female. its a one way trip. cant go back to male etc

So if the clown you are getting has been alone a long time (5 weeks at LEAST but usually more) it could be a female. In witch case you better make sure you add a juvinile when you do add one.

I think your best bet is to add them at the same time. If its still a juvi u have a few weeks... but after that fish turns female, your going to have a harder time adding another one