Does Clark Need a Friend?

Almon

Almon

New member
I have a Clarkii Clownfish that I've had for 9 years. It was the first fish I added when starting my reef 9 years ago and it has been the only clownfish ever in that tank. I have a 220g mixed reef with just a handful of fish.

IMG_4373.jpg


For many years, The Clarkii lived in this gigantic umbrella leather.

Clown%20Fish.jpg


Six months ago I added an RBTA which the Clownfish immediately took to. The RBTA has since grown to be really large.

IMG_4540_JPG.jpg


I am considering attemtping to find this Clarkii a friend/mate so I thought I would ask some questions to get more information.

1) Do I need to be concerned with the current sex of each clownfish?

2) Can I determine the sex of the clownfish?

3) Will I be upsetting the harmony?

4) What is the likelyhood of successfully pairing this Clarkii to another?

click the pictures for hi-res

 
Really nice clown. Love the beautiful tank at the same.

To answer your question.
Go to your lfs and get a smaller clark. maybe1 inch or the smallest healthiest you can find. Your clark would be a female by now if you have it for 9 years. Clowns tend to change into female when they are kepted alone for 1+ years.Since you have an anemone the current clark would be nasty to the male your going to introduce. Get a small clear box that you can put him in. Put it NEXT to the anemone so the female will see him and get use to him. Wait until she isn't showing agressiveness to it then slowly release him. There will be some fighting to decided who will be the dominate one. And there will be the clown dance, him(smaller one) shaking like having a seizure. If there is too much agressive behavior then put him back in the box and let it stay there fo awhile. And try it again later. It may take hours or days or even weeks. :) I dont think clark's can be as hard to pair as maroon clown but its just my opinion. HTH
 
1) Do I need to be concerned with the current sex of each clownfish?
I would say yes. The fish you have is female, so getting a very small subadult or male clown will give you the best results.

2) Can I determine the sex of the clownfish?
Kinda. It's safe to assume that after 9 years alone your fish has matured into a female. If you get a small, around an inch long, clarkii, you can be confident that it is a male or subadult.

3) Will I be upsetting the harmony?
Very possible. In a tank that size, the aggression should taper off pretty quick, if there is any.

4) What is the likelihood of successfully pairing this Clarkii to another?
That's hard to say. I'm trying the same thing right now. I'm on my third potential mate for my female. She doesn't like anybody. The clarkii that's in with her now, got beat up and hid in the rocks for about the past week or two. Now he is slowly beginning to come out without getting attacked. There may be hope for this one.
 
I did the same as Elegance. However I butted my quarantine tank up next to the main tank. So they could see each other for a month before I put the baby in at lights out.

Next evening when I came home they were swimming around together. And my female was alone for a couple years due to her mate dieing.
 
Thanks for all the good information everyone.

I decided to take your advice and went to my LFS and purchased a tank raised Clarkii for $19. He's about 1.5" - 2" and maybe what, 8-10 months old.

IMG_4551.jpg


I normally quarantine all fish for a week or two to observe them, but this guy looked pretty good, so I decided not to. I acclimated him and introduced him into the tank during the middle of the day with the lights on. I tried to point him in the direction of the giant umbrella leather, but he went straight for the Anemone.

The larger female immediately began to chase him around, but the little guy wouldn't go very far. He would just keep coming back and doing the clown dance just as you said he would. I used my long tongs to keep them fairly separated for about two minutes and they seem to calm down.

It's been 15 minutes and now they are the best of friends. Wow...that's simply amazing.
 
This is 20 minutes after adding the little guy to the tank. I'm amazed how well they get along.

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Extra Large. Probably 5" in length, but very round. I've not seen another Clarkii this big, but I don't get out much. :)

9 years of overfeeding. My fish are fat and happy with two meals a day. I fed them their evening meal a short while ago. The little guy was eagerly eating small pieces of mysis.
 
Oh I loved that video - I love how for the first minute or two it's just them in the video -then towards the end it seems like every fish in your tank comes over to say Hi!

Very cute...
 
Very nice. You seem to have a 'salty' thumb as I see you also have a Copperband Butterfly in there. I tried one of those but unfortunately lost him since I couldn't get him to eat.

I have a bonded pair of Maroon Clowns which I paired succesfully on my own. Wasn't quite as easy a time as you had but they're a happy pair now and hosting in a GBTA. I could and do watch them for hours at times.
 
Here is an update. The little guy always stays in the Anemone and very close to the female. Yesterday, the Anemone retreated back under the rock and is splitting again. The little guy stays very close to the female or under the rock with the Anemone.

IMG_4576a.jpg


This Copperband Butterfly loves Mysis shrimp.
 
Wow that's very cool. My Female looks exactly like that. And my baby was about the same size when he went in. The baby will darken up after a while. Glad to see she likes him. Congrats!
 
Two months later....

About a month ago I noticed the female clownfish eating more. two weeks ago I noticed some discoloration on the back wall behind the anemone. It was a large patch of eggs. Wow...that was quick. Today is the first time since then that the anemone has retreated enough for me to get a good view and take a picture.

That's papa hiding in the anemone. The female is more agressive towards me now. I've gotten a few nips while cleaning the glass, and that's two feet away them.

IMG_5581a_JPG.jpg


There must be 800 - 1000 eggs.

 
That was the first thing my wife asked. But that's a lot of work, I'm sure. I will consider putting some type of tile for them.
 
Re: Does clark need a friend

Re: Does clark need a friend

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13440557#post13440557 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Coral C's
Clark needs a Lois:love2:
Click to expand...

just had to say, good one Coral C's.....:lol:
 
OH what an awesome love story !!! I love happy endings :) Your little male is very cute looking and I can't believe how easy your pairing was for all....must have been a match made :D Very cool. Looks like Mrs. C. was just waiting for Mr. Right to come swimming her way.

Love the vid by the way.
 
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