clownfish - better in pairs or singles

[Deleted member 336650]

Is the level of aggression any different when clownfish are in pairs? Healthwise, does it make a difference to have them in a pair?

I have seen that many on here have a pair & I am just wondering what is the reason?

 

[CoralsAddiction]

Just like us, clowns have the ability to bond and reproduce. Aggression level depends on subspecies of clowns, presence of host anemone(s) and a clutch of eggs.

 

[davocean]

It does seem aggression level usually does rise dramatically upon maturing/spawning.
You do not have to have a pair.
I personally like watching the progression of a pair combined w/ the symbiotic relationship between them and sea anemone's, so for me it's worth the risk of possible increased aggression...usually.
My last maroons became so aggressive I could just not tolerate them anymore.
It's sad when a 200lb man is afraid to put his hand in his tank because of a 3" fish:fish1:

 

[Deleted member 336650]

I really like just the plain ole A ocellaris. I just wondered if they would do better in a pair since it seems many on RC keep a pair.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Martini5788]

clownfish - better in pairs or singles

It was my understanding that eventually a lone clownfish will turn female regardless, and the behavior will be similar to having a pair. So it doesn't make much sense to not have a pair, especially if you want occelaris which are not as aggressive as other species like maroons or clarkiis. Also, the interaction between the pair is the main reason most people get clownfish. I don't think I would ever keep a single clownfish. That's just
Me though

 

[davocean]

^^ Actually I have seen, had and read on solos many times, and quite often the single clown has been peaceful, until the mate has been added.
One of my maroons was solo for years, she was cool...till she got a mate.
It was one thing to be bitten by her, being surprised and jabbed/breaking corals was even worse.
While occs are lower on the aggression list overall, don't think for a minute they can't be mean as well.
Me personally, I don't care, I will always have a pair, and nem for them.
I do however at least try for typically less aggressive species, I've been lucky a couple times on that over the years.

 

[sixpackgarage]

My bigger clown seems a lot happier having a smaller clown to beat the **** out of. The smaller one does not seem as happy.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

^^ Actually I have seen, had and read on solos many times, and quite often the single clown has been peaceful

I too have had singles. One was a Snowfake and the other one Allardi. They just minded their own business. Snowflake did not have a host anemone but did develop a relationship with a frogspawn. Allardi lived in a neon green Haddoni. Never had any aggression issues. My current A. Perculas will nip any fish or invert that gets close to their anemone.

 

[ThRoewer]

I really like just the plain ole A ocellaris. I just wondered if they would do better in a pair since it seems many on RC keep a pair.

Thanks for the info.

In my opinion it would simply be cruel to keep a single clown. In the wild you hardly ever find single clowns. The urge to have a partner is actually so strong that they rather pair up with another species of clown than being alone.

I would expand this actually to many more reef fish besides clownfish. Angels, butterflies, gobies, damsels and many more are almost always found in pairs or harem groups in the wild.

If you chose to keep reef fish in your home you take on the responsibility to provide them with everything they need. For most reef fish having a partner is as much of a basic need as oxygen, food and clean water. Just imagine how you would do as a lone castaway on some isolated island.

Much of the interspecies aggression that is reported for certain fish comes from them being alone. See it as a missing outlet. Aggression and aggression control is often part of the mating process where it is channeled and ritualized by the weaker partner showing submission. But a Pseudochromis that out of boredom or frustration picks a fight with a damsel or tang will not get the response that pacifies him and the confrontation may end in violence.

It was my understanding that eventually a lone clownfish will turn female regardless, and the behavior will be similar to having a pair. ...

This, among other things, was investigated in an extensive field study on A. bicinctus: Social Control of Sex: Field Experiments with the Anemonefish Amphiprion bicinctus
The finding was that a lone clownfish will not be able to transform into a functioning female.
Though a single clownfish will likely get even more aggressive than a spawning pair - just out of frustration.

 

[ThRoewer]

Deleted (posted in wrong thread)

 

[OrionN]

I am not sure about cruel, , but I like to watch clowns procreativity.
I always try to keep breeding units of my fish if it is at all possible. I guess I just like fish porn.

 

[Martini5788]

Can't remember the exact thread that I read that in, but it was definitely on this forum. Thanks for clearing that up rhough[emoji3]! Regardless, I wouldn't keep a single clownfish, it just ruins the appeal for me. That's just personal preference though.

 

[Deleted member 336650]

In my opinion it would simply be cruel to keep a single clown. In the wild you hardly ever find single clowns. The urge to have a partner is actually so strong that they rather pair up with another species of clown than being alone.

Though a single clownfish will likely get even more aggressive than a spawning pair - just out of frustration.

A pair it is. Thanks everyone for the info

 

[brett559]

I guess I just like fish porn.

Was researching this issue and came across this gem....