Adding a second Oscellaris

[Fountainhead]

My male oscellaris died recently after 2 1/2 years in the tank. I'd like to get the surviving female another male to kick around. The clownfish FAQ above says that a new clown can become female in as little as 4 weeks if left alone. Since I obviously want to quarantine the new addition at least 4 weeks (preferably 6) how can I be certain he won't become a she?

 

[CaptNemo]

I dont' get it, why do you have to quarantine a fish for 4-6 weeks?. Quarantine is absolutely needed with new fishes so they dont' introduce disease into the tank. All you need is 1-2 weeks of quarantine to know if your clown is healthy or not. After two weeks, put the new guy in so your female can molest him. My old clowns is beating up and molesting the little guy pretty badly. I only have the new guy for 4 days. Luckly, it is still alive and kicking. Female clown is just so annoying and such a pest. But a pair is always better than just one lonely clown.

anyway, good luck.

 

[Fountainhead]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8347050#post8347050 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CaptNemo
All you need is 1-2 weeks of quarantine to know if your clown is healthy or not.

My own personal experience suggests otherwise.

 

[OrionN]

Put you female into quarantine also. All you need for the pair is a 10 or 20 g tank (with appropriate supporting equipments). You may want to keep the little guy in it for at least about 1-2 weeks before add the female in.
Buy Captive breed clowns and you won't have to quarantine for so long. I my self never quarantine for that long. Two weeks is all, unless I see some problem.

 

[Fountainhead]

The situation is that all my fish are now in quarantine due to a Powder Brown Tang that was quarantined for four weeks, and still brought Ich into the tank. I lost the Tang, another Yellow Tang, and the smaller clown. The female clown, the Flame Angel, and a Pink-spotted Goby are doing well in a 55 gallon Q tank (w/copper).

They'll remain in Q for another 6 weeks (two more in copper, then four unmedicated). How about then I move the Angel and the Goby back to the display and keep the clown in the 55 Q tank and add the new addition directly with her? Bit of a risk for the female, but I can give the new guy a formalin bath and be prepared to treat both if necessary.

This would also give them a chance to work out their differences in private. Ideas?