Benefits of Paired Fish?

[Idyfohu]

Maybe it's a stupid question, but what are the benefits of paired fish?

I'm thinking of getting a Clarkii, but my LFS said she'd order a pair just in case I changed my mind and at $10/piece (the store has a great reputation and has good quality fish/items) I think I might pick up both.

I'm assuming the benefits are two fish that you like/love and that they have a partner or buddy to hang with.

Anything I missed.

 

[jener8tionx]

There might be something in the lonely category for animals that do pair off. Without a mate, they have no reason for living? I really don't know if this is true, but it makes sense to me.

 

[REEF-n-Chicago]

I just like watching the fish in pairs. Very neat watching them swim together!

 

[Lmecher]

I agree, I prefer the mating rituals and love dances to a lonley fish swimming back and forth.

 

[Zaita]

Clownfish are much more interesting when a mate. The differences in behavior and interactions between a female and male is quite significant.

I would highly recommend the pair vs 1 fish.

 

[Idyfohu]

Sold...haha. I assumed it was basic things like the above, but confirmation is always nice.

My LFS said that she'd order a pair, so I assume that most likely they will be Male and Female...or possibly same sex and they just are friendly towards each other? Or is it always the former?

Thanks!

What's everyone's opinions on Clarkiis? I was looking at Allardis (sp?) at the same LFS and never had seen one and really like the coloring, but realized that Clarkiis are about the same in color but more than 1/2 the price.

 

[garygb]

Also, if you have a pair, they seem to have even heartier appetites than when alone, the competition of a mate perhaps. I think they might feel more secure (okay that sounds like anthropomorphizing, and it is;-), but they seem to venture a little more comfortably with a mate.

 

[seafansar]

It's cute to watch a pair together and if you ever want to raise their eggs there's always a chance of that. Other than that, I would say there's not much of a benefit. I have a clarkii who I've been trying to pair with a smaller one. After 4 months I decided she was never going to pair up with the second one, so I got rid of it and bought another tiny one. She still doesn't seem impressed. Oh well.
Also, you can only keep a male and female together. Clowns are born sexless. The most dominant one in the group becomes female and the next dominant one becomes a male while the others stay juveniles. If the female dies, the male (being the most dominate now) becomes female and the most dominant juvenile becomes the new male.
If you have two females together, they will fight all the time, usually till one dies. If you have two males together, they will fight until they sort out which one will become the more dominant female. If you have just one fish, it will become a female.

 

[Idyfohu]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13667632#post13667632 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by seafansar
It's cute to watch a pair together and if you ever want to raise their eggs there's always a chance of that. Other than that, I would say there's not much of a benefit. I have a clarkii who I've been trying to pair with a smaller one. After 4 months I decided she was never going to pair up with the second one, so I got rid of it and bought another tiny one. She still doesn't seem impressed. Oh well.
Also, you can only keep a male and female together. Clowns are born sexless. The most dominant one in the group becomes female and the next dominant one becomes a male while the others stay juveniles. If the female dies, the male (being the most dominate now) becomes female and the most dominant juvenile becomes the new male.
If you have two females together, they will fight all the time, usually till one dies. If you have two males together, they will fight until they sort out which one will become the more dominant female. If you have just one fish, it will become a female.

Great explanation...

Now after reading more and more about Clarkiis I'm having second thoughts as it seems more are hot-headed than not.

I currently have a Diamond Goby and a Firefish in the tank and ultimately wanting a pair of Clowns (leaning towards Clarkiis obviously) and then a sixline wrasse.

Ugh...I'm sure my LFS would let me return them if they pick on everything, but then I have to go through the pain of getting them out.

Any thoughts...help me sway my decision. :rollface:

 

[tcmfish]

Then you can raise up the babies... duh! Without a pair there will never be babies. Raise some up.

 

[JamesJR]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13667265#post13667265 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Idyfohu
Sold...haha. I assumed it was basic things like the above, but confirmation is always nice.

My LFS said that she'd order a pair, so I assume that most likely they will be Male and Female...or possibly same sex and they just are friendly towards each other? Or is it always the former?

Thanks!

What's everyone's opinions on Clarkiis? I was looking at Allardis (sp?) at the same LFS and never had seen one and really like the coloring, but realized that Clarkiis are about the same in color but more than 1/2 the price.

With most of the common varieties of clowns there is no reason to pay the exaggerated prices of pairs when it is easy to pair them off yourself. The only time I would pay for a mated pair is when the varieties are so unusual that it is difficult to come accross them again.

I have a pair of Clarkii's myself. I really like them but they can be pretty aggressive at full size. Allardi's do look quite different from Clark's. Allards are definately cool but usually run 3-4 x's the cost of your average clarkii. Worth it if you can find them.

 

[smoke15]

what are the benefit or harm of having 3 clown fish in one tank? I have 3 baby clowns right now, should I remove one to let the other two pair up or can all three coexist

 

[cody6766]

I have a Clarkii pair and they're not a problem in the tank. They don't really spend a lot of time together like I've seen some other clown species do, but they don't fight. They also don't bother my pygmy angel. I had a YWG and they left him alone too. The female owns her anemone and will not let the male in it with her, but that's about the only aggression I see from her. I paid $50 for the pair and their BTA they were hosting.

 

[Idyfohu]

Thanks for everyone's opinions...

Fortunately my LFS isn't going to charge me double or anything extra for the paired set...just the same price of (1) fish x 2 = $20.

Really, my one concern at this point, is whether or not they'll bug and harrass my other fish: Diamond Goby, Firefish, and eventually a sixline wrasse.