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!

 

[Flighty]

For what it's worth, I had a small female Ocellaris who had lost her mate in a 120 with 3 small juvis. They all swam as a happy school for months until the day the female picked one as her favorite. Then she and the male turned on the other two juvis and tried to drive them out of the tank. I had to remove two juvis (I'm not sure I caught the two she had not picked or not) and she hapilly settled down with the remaining clown and started spawning several months later.

 

[ezhoops]

IT might work for a while or if your lucky the clowns may just exist as a family unit or pair off and two take a separate territory

 

[maww]

The way it works in nature depends on the availability of hosts. The rule of thumb for A occelaris in H mag is 1\4th diameter anemone to total length clownfish. That means if you want 6 inches total length clowns, there should be 24 inches- that's 2 feet, diameter of anemone to accommodate them. any less and expect fighting. If you're lucky they will settle for less.

 

[plaz]

Thanks everyone! It is great to be able to rely on so many with experience in this hobby!

24" is a big anemone! All this is great information. I tend to get attached to the fish and don't plan to breed - so I think I'll just give in on the blacks and will be happy getting 2 little Nemos!