Clown reeftank?

[chrissreef]

So I'm thinking about adding 5-6 small percula clowns to my 300g... I'm not expecting them to school but will I have issues if they host an anemone or two pair off? (or will the rest just be dormant and "hang out")

Thanks!

 

[Loachmaniac]

To begin, I am no expert.

From what I hear, multiple (>2) clowns in a tank doesn't work out well in the long term. Eventually, the 3rd in line wants to move up and challenges one of the others. In a tank, there is no where to run. But not many people have tanks of that size.

Perhaps 4 would could work, with 2-3 anemones spread far apart?

Anyone with more experience?

 

[2dawghouse]

My first tank was a 125 anemone tank (bubbles, ritteri, carpet, long tentacle, sebea, I have had them all). The problem you will have with multiple anemones is that if they are different types then they will start a chemical warfare within the tank. Also there is no guarantee that the clowns will host within the anemone. And 5-6 clowns in a tank with 2-3 anemones might work, but smaller the anemone, the less a clown will share with another clown. Then there is the issue with keeping anemones and the requirements for them.

What types of anemones are you thinking and do you have any experience with them?

 

[RickM61]

i have 3 in a 60 gal..1 hosts a nem 1 hosts a frogspawn..the other is left out in the cold so to speak..now i notice they are picking on him..so my plans are tonight to move him to another tank..granted my tank isnt 300 gallons but this it what ive noticed. good luck..

Rick

 

[LargeAngels]

I've even had issues in a 300 with more than 2 clowns. It is ok until they start to pair off and want to breed. Then clowns can be extremely territorial, even to their own kind, and kill others.

Yes, there are people who have more than two and even multiple breeding pairs, but that is not the norm.

 

[chrissreef]

"What types of anemones are you thinking and do you have any experience with them?"

Honestly... I was thinking about a huuge hammer/frogspawn as I've had good hosting experience with those in the past. hmmm, what to do, what to do =)

they will all be tank raised as well =)

 

[2dawghouse]

Chrisreef, it is your call, this is a tough one. You could leave the hammer/frogspawn/anemone out of the equation and see which ones pair up. Then remove the one(s) that are being picked on. It may keep somewhat of a territorial issue under control.

 

[FishboyBT]

I know someone who had 4 clowns in her 240....

 

[Chibils]

Multiple pairs of clowns in one tank is the exception, not the rule.

 

[reef rico]

I kept 1 maroon, occelaris and clarkii all at the same time in a 33 gallon when I was a nooby lol. It was first the clarkii then the maroon kicked him out of his bta. Then i got the clarkii a cryspa anemone and he took residents in there. My occelaris was a loner swiiming on his side the clarkii in the middle and the maroon on the left. There was fights but no deaths occured. It was usually with the maroon and clarkii.

 

[reef rico]

The maroon was also 3-5 inches lol and the clarkii 2-3 inches whill the occelaris was around 1-2 inches

 

[rhkingsfan]

I would kill to have my clowns host my torch, frogspawn or hammer. I have a frogspawn with like 10 heads but my clowns haven't come within 2 feet of him since I got them 2 months ago.