clown question

[sarcophytonIndy]

I have a well-established biocube that has been taken over by about 15 good size Rose BTAs. I am thinking of dedicating this tank to BTAs and clowns. I don't have a mated pair, and I am thinking since there are so many hosts, I would like to try a bunch of clowns. So my questions are what type of clowns and how many?? I'm leaning toward false percs, maybe six or eight.

 

[nereefpat]

Interesting idea.

Bubble tips aren't natural hosts for perc or occ clowns. And mixing more than a pair is usually trouble.

How big is this biocube?

 

[AlSimmons]

Like mentioned above one pair is usually recommended per tank. If you get 6 or 8 small ones they might not fight at first, but as they mature there will definitely be some bad blood so to say between them.

 

[sarcophytonIndy]

Interesting idea.

Bubble tips aren't natural hosts for perc or occ clowns. And mixing more than a pair is usually trouble.

How big is this biocube?

29 gallon

 

[AlSimmons]

FWIW I have a breeding pair of Ocellaris Clownfish in my standard 20 gallon tank and they won't tolerate anything other than my Tail Spot Blenny for some reason. (and I've tried many other fish along the way too)

 

[D-Nak]

You can probably hold quite a few juveniles for a while, especially if they are from the same clutch (assuming these are percula or ocellaris). However, once they get bigger, they'll start to fight especially with the limited real estate in such a small tank.

I have a 60 gallon tank with about 16 percula from the same clutch, and I see more and more quarrels every day. This tank contains 8 gigantea so there are more than enough places for the fish to hide, and some still get beaten up.

I recommend checking out this forum, as a few people have discussions going about their harem tanks:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=36

 

[Anemone]

29 gallon

Too small for more than a pair.

Kevin

 

[ReeferNoob4ever]

I have a golden nugget (don't know what kind that is) and he is being hosted by my BTA in a 10 gallon...for over a year now.

 

[D-Nak]

I have a golden nugget (don't know what kind that is) and he is being hosted by my BTA in a 10 gallon...for over a year now.

A gold nugget is a type of maroon clownfish.

 

[Djbeasley05]

Sounds to me like a good problem to have! Trade those things in at a local lfs!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sarcophytonIndy]

Interesting idea.

Bubble tips aren't natural hosts for perc or occ clowns. And mixing more than a pair is usually trouble.

How big is this biocube?

I see mostly perc or occ clowns being hosted by bubble tips, so they are obviously compatible. What would be a more appropriate clown variety?

 

[sarcophytonIndy]

Sounds to me like a good problem to have! Trade those things in at a local lfs!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The LFS only wants to give me $10 per anemone. At that return its hardly worth the hassle.

 

[sarcophytonIndy]

Like mentioned above one pair is usually recommended per tank. If you get 6 or 8 small ones they might not fight at first, but as they mature there will definitely be some bad blood so to say between them.

Is there a more peaceful clown variety that might work? I think I have heard good things about skunk clowns

 

[AlSimmons]

A pair of Skunk Clownfish will work, but if your still considering adding 6-8 fish and keeping them long term then I can't really help you out. Unless your DT is HUGE, one pair per tank is usually recommended, regardless of type.

 

[nereefpat]

I see mostly perc or occ clowns being hosted by bubble tips, so they are obviously compatible. What would be a more appropriate clown variety?

Occ and perc clowns are hosted by mag and carpet anemones in nature.

It looks like cinnamon clowns use bubble tips.

I just wanted to make sure you were aware clowns don't always take to anemones in our tanks, especially if they aren't natural hosts.

 

[sarcophytonIndy]

Occ and perc clowns are hosted by mag and carpet anemones in nature.

It looks like cinnamon clowns use bubble tips.

I just wanted to make sure you were aware clowns don't always take to anemones in our tanks, especially if they aren't natural hosts.

Thanks!

 

[shred5]

I have had no issues getting any clown to host a bta.
it may not be natural but most clowns seem to be ok with them.
Only issue is I have had some clowns that are too ruff for them.

 

[davocean]

Dnak was correct that BTA's are not natural as found in wild, and that's why there are so many posts asking why their occs or percs don't take to them, though being these are most popular, people do it or try it anyway.

I also agree multiples only work long term if juvies from same clutch, but that tank is really too small for more than a pair long term

 

[Crooked Reef]

Just an FYI, a biocube 29 isn’t actually 29 gallons. Display will hold roughly 19-20 gallons not including displacement by rockwork and sand. Back chambers will hold an additional 2 or 3 gallons maybe. You will want to keep this in mind when determining stocking decisions.

 

[davocean]

I'm also wondering how you can have 15 "good size" BTA's in a tank that small, hope you have PH's and intakes screened off