Clownfish Compatibility

[TTSupra]

Well, I've had a small oscellaris (spelling?) for a good while now, and today I received a medium sized tomato clown as a gift.

I've been told mixed things. One was that they would not get along. The other was that a tomato should be fine, and it's the maroon clown that is aggressive.

There is no anemone currently in the tank for the tomato, but the other clown has hosted a small carpet anemone.

Should I be worried? The tomato is currently bagged with a small (smaller than a quarter) sized yellow tale demsel, and they're not being aggressive towards each other at all.

 

[Aquarist007]

you should be quarantining these new fish? then you will be able to tell better.
They are under stress in the bag---put them in a reef situation for a bit--then they become a little more territorial and relaxed---bottom line you can't tell by them being in a bag together.
Its some damsels and clowns that don't mix---I have a zebra striped damsel--it simply won't allow me to put a clown in the tank.
The yellow tale damsel could be a problem when it gets bigger--reconsider that factor now while you can

 

[JENnKerry]

I think you might be asking for trouble with the tomato clown. They can be one of the most aggressive, most territorial, nastiest S.O.B's that you could ever think about putting in your tank.

 

[Aquarist007]

Lol--I thought the LFS store was kidding when they told me to put a tomato in the tank with the zebra damsel and it would take care of the damsel for me.

 

[Dingo Dog]

After 3 years at this, I've learned there is no perfect answer to your question. Even within a particular species there are always exceptions to behavior. A species will have its traits but that's not a guarantee. It's any one's guess really. Ideally, both fish would be put in the tank at the same time avoiding some of the 'territorial' issues. Best of luck on this.

 

[Rewd]

I was given a tomato clown a few months back. Had it with my two ocellaris for a few weeks. At first there was no aggression but eventually I started to see torn fins on both sides. I never actually saw them fighting but I can only assume they were going at it since no one else in the tank was showing any signs of wear. Needless to say that tomato went to a better home and I still have my ocellaris.

 

[catfisher]

I have a Cinnamon and a False Perc together in a 55 reef. They don't like each other but keep their distance. The Cinnamon chased the false perc for awhile but eventually gave up. The Cinnamon hogs 2 BTA's and won't share...