Clown question!

[Che]

How many different pairs of clownfish can you have in one small aquarium. I have a 35ish gallon tank that I have a pair of ocellaris clowns in with about 5 RBTAs. I was thinking that I would like a pair of nekkid clowns as well, but I don't know how all of the clowns would do together.

Any clownfish aficianado's out there that want to give me some ideas? I would greatly appreciate it.

Che

 

[dmorel]

I am NOT a clownfish aficionado, though I have read a number of threads on the subject and it's almost always said that keeping more than one pair in a tank is a mistake. There are a few outliers that have two pairs hosting on either end of some large tank or what have you, but generally speaking everything I've read says it's not a good idea.

There should be a few threads on the subject in the clown/anemone forum, I think that's where I've come across them.

 

[Che]

yeah, that is what I understood, as well, but I wasn't sure if that meant pairs of different species in the same tank or same species in the same tank.

Maybe I could get away with having different color morphs of the same species?

It would make for a really cool tank.

 

[evsalty]

If you want to try it then I would suggest taking the established pair for a week or two then putting all clowns in at the same time. I tried adding a Flame Angel to the tank and my female occ (been in the tank a whole 5 months at the time) killed it instantly. I even isolated the flame in the tank for a couple of days and the female still killed the Flame. With that said I do not believe that a naked clown is different enough to be put in a tank with an already established female.

 

[reefstew]

I have a pair of ocellaris in a 240 gal reef tank & later added 3 black & white clowns. They are always fighting.

 

[dalston]

Naked clowns are A. occelaris so as far as species, you will end up with 4 Occelaris. In that size tank, 4 will become 2 IMO.

I wouldn't have more than a pair of clowns in a tank that size.

 

[justnmatt79]

I am in agreeance with the others that say it would work out badly for you.

Generally, when people keep groups of more than 2 clowns, they start with all juveniles. The most dominant will become a female, with the next most dominant clown becoming sexually mature. The remaining males stay sexually immature, so a clear order is established. Your established pair would blow a gasket if a second pair was added. Also, the presence of anemones will increase clownfish territoriality, even with multiple nems.

The naked A. Ocellaris are sweet though! I know why you'd want them

 

[Che]

I think that I would prefer to have the naked ocellaris to the two that I have now, but I have gotten attached to the pair that I have now. Ugh.

 

[bajabum]

All depends on type and size.
I have 10 black onyx together. Had them in with mama and daddy for awhile, but parents spent to much time chasing them away and not enough time tending eggs. Wrasses had a feastSo to save the eggs, I moved them.
Big Female Oscalaris are mean, like marron's. I don't let Oscalaris visit my house. Perc's, sabea, saddleback get along.
Mostly if they are young, you might make it work, but remove all clowns for awhile and introduce them at once usually works.

 

[hermanx7]

I have a pair of percs and had a pair of skunks in the same 125 for awhile. Kept them for 3 years with no problems other than when they first was introduced. After 3 years of friendly living all camed to an end when the percs started to lay eggs. No more female skunk. The male which is probably a female now.lol is still in my 125 with the percs with no problems other than the occasional stay on your end of the tank warning.lol

To my understanding you can get as many as you want as long as they are the same species and introduced together or as young fish. But only one will become the female.