Adding new clown, different sub-species?

[TheGrog]

Greetings.

My long time fishy Toni (ocellaris clown) that I had for 15 years passed away. No idea why. Her mate Krusty has been alone for just over a year (prob switched to female by now). Both were regular Ocellaris clowns. I am wondering if I can add one of the (juvenile) onyx or black Ocellaris clowns? Will there be any aggression because of the color variation or should it be ok as long as it's an Ocellaris?

Thanks

 

[phender]

Adding on onyx would be adding a different species (onyx are percula clowns). It depends on the personality of your remaining fish as to how it would receive a new introduction.

It sounds evolutionarily unsound, but some clowns are more concerned about defending their territory than finding a mate. If you are going to try it, get a very small/young clown. It doesn't really matter if it is orange or black. Follow standard clown introduction procedures (float the new clown in a bag for a while or in a cup or cage for a few days). The intro may go very smoothly, or it could be a disaster, so be ready with a cup or a net.

Since your present clown has a well established territory, you might want to introduce the clowns in a QT tank (if you can catch your current clown). That way both will be a little stressed and will be drawn together for protection. After a week or so in the QT, they should be bonded enough to stay together in their permanent home.

 

[TheGrog]

Thanks. Catching not really an option. He (she) uses a cave in the rocks to go between anemones and I know there is more than one cave and they are at the bottom of the rock pile.
How do you keep a fish in a cup/bag/cage for a few days? What about water flow? My current clown stays near the bottom and I have a 120 tank so floating would be nowhere near it's territory.
I would go with very small/young clown anyway to assure it has not started converting to female (rare but possible). I think 1/2 to 1/3 the size of mine should be ok.
Thanks

 

[TL1000RSquid]

I have a perc/occ pair living happily together, took a couple days of some minor squabbling but the male did his submission thing and she stopped harrassing him after about 2 days.

If you wanted to keep a fish isolated in your tank a small critter carrier cage works.

 

[phender]

..........
How do you keep a fish in a cup/bag/cage for a few days? What about water flow? My current clown stays near the bottom and I have a 120 tank so floating would be nowhere near it's territory.
..........

I use a large deli cup and poke holes in it with a soldering iron. If you want it to float, you can put a small piece of styrofoam in it. If you want it to stay near the bottom at a fixed point, you can use a piece of fishing line and tie it to a rock or a fishing weight.