Clownfish Pair as first fish?

[Heelfiend]

As my 120g is nearing a complete cycle I want to introduce my first fish. I was thinking of getting a pair of percs or occelaris... Is this a bad idea for the first tank inhabitants? I don't mind if they "own" the tank because they are my favorite fish, but obviously I don't want them being so bossy that its hard to put tankmates in later. I was thinking a black/white and an orange/black/white pair. Does having the different coloring schemes introduce any more hardship in pairing them? Also will they always breed? I'm not crazy about the idea of extracting babies, as I am in the aquarium hobby, not the aquarium business so to speak.

Thanks in advance!

 

[GT350pwns]

My first fish (have had them about a week) are a snowflake clown and a black ocellaris. I'm still unsure whether or not they are going to pair. They seem like it sometimes, other times they don't. Time will tell! Good thing is, they get along to the point where they aren't going to cause any harm to each other if they pair or not.

I hope they do pair and reproduce because I would like to have the experience of raising the young!

 

[eco-tropic]

If you stayed away from other fish in the damsel family you shouldn't have many issues with undue harassment. No need to worry about extracting babies on the chance that your clowns spawn. Additional tank mates, the adult pair, and and filters would make quick work of the fry. Even if the aforementioned were not a factor the fry would not survive without a specific attempt to rear them in a separate tank.

 

[davocean]

As long as your tank is fully cycled I see no issues.
I'm more fond of percs than I am occs for temperment and usually quicker acceptance of host nems, but neither top the list as far as aggression, normally.
As for different colors makes no difference.
I would get young clowns if you can, this will make it easier to avoid the typical territorial issues that come w/ maturing/spawning, and you would have time to get other fish and all getting along long before that happens, and when they do reach spawning age don't worry about collectings eggs, it's a great source of food for the other fish, and none of the fry will survive w/out extracting and taking great measures in raising them.

 

[Heelfiend]

Great responses, very informative.

Can you get Percs in black and white? Will a Perc and Occelaris pair?

 

[davocean]

Yes, and yes.