Can I add a second clown?

[likwidglostix]

Tank is a 54 corner. Fish are yellow tang, ocellaris, flametail blennie, two green chromis, red mandarin, blue star leopard wrasse, wheeler's shrimp goby. I've had the ocellaris for almost two years now. I had two but the smaller one vanished from my BC14 one week before the move to the current tank. Will my clown allow another ocellaris to be brought in? It isn't hosting anything permanently. It tries to host the red mushrooms occasionally. I don't know if that makes a difference or not. I really want to add one or two more fish since the blennie hides in his hole most of the time and is barely visible, the goby only comes out for feeding, and the mandarin is only sporatically out front. I was thinking of adding one more ocellaris and hoping they pair up, then trying to get ahold of a red elongated dottyback. LiveAquaria has them under "new marine fish," but I would most likely try to get it through the pet store I just started working part time at. I have to drive an hour and a half to the nearest marine store, so I figured I'd go and turn my local SW dept into someplace I'd want to shop at.

Can I add a second ocellaris or is there something else you'd recommend? Black clown maybe?

Pics aren't the best, taken with my HTC Hero. I'd like to find a way to make my clown host either the frogspawn or open brain, but how do you make a clown host something? Wish in one hand...

 

[velvetelvis]

The tank is already pretty heavily populated, so you might be over the limit for your bioload. Other than that, I think you would be OK adding a second ocellaris (either the orange variety or the black and white--same species, just different color morphs), as long as he was much smaller. That way, your current clown, who is almost certainly a female, will already be dominant, and there shouldn't be too much fighting over who's going to be in charge. Just watch them carefully.

 

[April_Sherwood]

I agree with velvetelvis; it appears that your tank is quite stocked already, however, if your parameters are fine then yes, I believe you could add a mate for your clown. I like the picasso clowns. You could get one to match up with your existing clown just make sure the one you get is smaller than the one you have. You could add a true perc. or another ocellaris, as long as it's smaller. You could put the new one in a little nursery within the main tank to make the introduction and be sure there is no aggression displayed from the orig. clown. Best wishes and post pics when/if you get the additional clown.

 

[kulture]

I had a black ocellaris all by itself for over a year and a half... I was told (by my lfs) it could be male or female... Here on rc everyone said it was most likely a female. Regardless All rc posts and members told me the same thing... Get a smaller clown to make sure it's male and then it will be easier and safer to mix the clowns together.

The rc posts were what I listened to and I now have a bonded pair... One black clown and one orange clown BUT they are both ocellaris. I stuck with the same species for 2 reasons
1. I believe they are docile compared to other clowns and thought it would be easier to have them pair up (or just get along)
2. So if they mate and do attempt to breed I have a better chance of keeping the offspring.

I would suggest the same for you.
A small clown of the same species... I don't believe it matters what color, mine don't seem to mind.

 

[Photo_John]

the clown wont kill another assuming you buy a small one

 

[likwidglostix]

The original pair had a small size difference for that reason, and they never fought he just vanished. I wasn't sure if she was settled and wouldn't allow another one. I always hear, "to avoid aggression, add both at the same time."

 

[89Foxbody]

Like the others said, as long as the new fish is smaller there shouldn't be any problems. Just keep an eye on her to make sure. I had one case at work where I had a dominant female and she wouldn't take on any mates at all, she just bullied them incessantly, I had to keep her separate.

 

[TripleT]

I'd enjoy what you have, and leave it as is.

And start planning your next tank.