Clownfish pairing question

[aadams22]

Hi, i have two small ocellaris clownfish ( 1" to 1 1/2") in a 10 gallon tank. Nitrates etc are 0 and i have a 30 gallon they can be moved too if anything goes wrong - i know some people disagree on the tank size whatever i guess thats the point of my question. Since they are fighting to establish dominance at the moment, will the be ok in ten gallons or do they need room to get away from each other? Thanks

 

[hotelbravo]

I think they should be moved to the 30 gallon seems a 10 is to small. Is there an anemone in this tank or just them?

 

[aadams22]

Just them. Ive seen enough pairs done in ten and five gallon tanks that im willing to try it. If the water quality is suffering or the fish look unhappy they will be moved. For now though everything is going great and i was just wondering if a small tank made the pairing process any more dangerous

 

[Original DMx]

as long as there are plenty of hiding spaces/rockwork, they should be able to work it out.

 

[Triggerfish]

don't think it would be an issue. they should pair up over time. put a nem in and they will be comfortable as if they were in any other tank size imo.

 

[aadams22]

don't think it would be an issue. they should pair up over time. put a nem in and they will be comfortable as if they were in any other tank size imo.

View attachment 311192

Ok thanks guys, they seem to be a lot more tolerant of each other already. Ive got about 12 lbs of LR. I can have an anemone in a tank this size??!

 

[JoeVandal49]

The clowns should be happy in there.

Yes you can have a nem in there if you have sufficient lighting and clean water, but i would personally hold off for awhile if the tank isn't mature.

Since you have a sand bed you could keep something that likes its foot buried in the sand like a long tenticle, or you could do something like a Bubble tip that like to be up on the rocks. Just keep feeding to a minimum so the nem doesn't quickly outgrow the tank.

Get one large enough that it can get bullied a bit. Some clowns can be rough on them.

I'm not advocating it, but my very large female YSM clown lived in a 10g for 3 years at her full grown size before she was re homed with me. She was fat, healthy, and a real menace when i got her. She is now queen of a 300g stock tank. There is no question she is in charge even in the 300g. Obviously a 10g is not ideal, but they should be fine.

Good Luck.

 

[aadams22]

The clowns should be happy in there.

Yes you can have a nem in there if you have sufficient lighting and clean water, but i would personally hold off for awhile if the tank isn't mature.

Since you have a sand bed you could keep something that likes its foot buried in the sand like a long tenticle, or you could do something like a Bubble tip that like to be up on the rocks. Just keep feeding to a minimum so the nem doesn't quickly outgrow the tank.

Get one large enough that it can get bullied a bit. Some clowns can be rough on them.

I'm not advocating it, but my very large female YSM clown lived in a 10g for 3 years at her full grown size before she was re homed with me. She was fat, healthy, and a real menace when i got her. She is now queen of a 300g stock tank. There is no question she is in charge even in the 300g. Obviously a 10g is not ideal, but they should be fine.

Good Luck.

Ok good! This is not their "permanent" arrangement, as im 21 and will be moving out/graduating sometime within the next few years, at which point im either getting my parents 30 or my own 55. But im not sure exactly when that will be lol.

I will consider the anemone, does the pictured lighting look good enough? Its just the 10g led kit from walmart haha. Also not sure how i would arrange the rocks if i wanted the bubble tip....

As for the clowns the submissive (yet oddly bigger) is looking a little pale. The fighting hasnt been too intense just a little chasing here and there. How long can i expect them to go on like this?

Thanks

 

[ThRoewer]

At that size 10 gallons should be enough to keep them but it may hamper their growth.

I would give them a simple red ceramic flower pot as an anemone surrogate.

 

[JoeVandal49]

At that size 10 gallons should be enough to keep them but it may hamper their growth.

I would give them a simple red ceramic flower pot as an anemone surrogate.

The teracota pots do a good job if you can accept the little aesthetic value they offer. They are a solid suggestion.

As far as lighting goes, no. I don't think what you have is sufficient.

You could also try something like a leather coral. They are an acceptable host to some clowns. Most are very easy and forgiving corals from my experience.

 

[aadams22]

Ok cool, everywhere ive read about the leather coral says medium to high lighting though.

I hope my fish stop fighting soon, the submissive one is looking...ghostly lol