Asking Clown Experts - Four Amphiprion Ocellaris?

[plaz]

We have a 180 gallon tank with 2 Hippos, a Yellow Tang, 2 Chromis and a pair of Green Mandarins (DSB and 2 large fuges).

We can't make up our mind (disagree) on whether to get 2 small Amphiprion Ocellaris or 2 Black Percs (listed as both Black Percs and as Amphiprion Ocellaris at Live Aquaria??).

Would it be okay LONG-term to get both (4) clowns at 3/4" and house them all in the 180? I've read some threads saying not to and some that say it is fine with Amphiprion ocellaris if added at the same time. I want to continue to have a peaceful tank (so, I will give in to my other halfs color preference if this is too dangerous).

Thanks to all the experts on RC!

 

[Wolverine]

Often when people try two pairs of clowns they end up with oone pair of dead clowns. However, it's often done in smaller tanks. Most of the time in a tank the size of your's, you should be able to get away with it, expecially since you're getting the smaller, less aggressive breeds (as opposed to, say, maroons and tomatoes).

Dave

 

[plaz]

Thanks for the info. I think I am going to chicken out even with a big tank and stick with 2 - I get too attached to the fish to risk a dead pair (even though the odds are probably on my side).

 

[1jared1]

Don't chicken out yet. I've got (2) regular ocellaris and (2) b&w ocellaris in a 29 gallon tank, no problems so far. I got all four on the same day and they are all about 3/4" long. You should be fine in a 180 gallon tank.

 

[plaz]

That is good to hear Jared. How large are they now and how long have you had them? Thanks.

 

[1jared1]

I've only had them for a month. They all swim together. One of the b&w ocellaris is showing signs of being the most agressive, but nothing that wouldn't happen with just 2 of them. On a side note I used to have a spawning pair of ocellaris and a spawning pair of gold stripped maroons in the same 55 gallon. They didn't like each other but they didn't kill each other ether. I suggest letting one pair go on one side of the tank and let the other pair go on the other side of the tank.

 

[jay24k]

I tried it and the 2 larger clowns beat em up bad. I moved em to quarentine and they didn't make it. You might have better luck but I won't ever try it again.

 

[plaz]

Thanks! Too many nice fish out there to risk them getting beat up!