Friend for a tomato

[2turtles]

I have a Tomato clown. It has been king or queen of the tank for a number of years. I would like to add a second clown. I have read tomatoes can be aggressive toward other clowns. Any thoughts on adding a second clownfish? Species recommendations?

 

[xxpipedreamxx]

Do not mix species whatever you do. The new fish will be killed. You most definitely have a very territorial female clownfish on your hands. Be prepared to lose a few juveniles before you find one that she likes or you may get lucky and she may like the first husband you provide her. Get the smallest juvenile tomato that you can find (1/2 inch if possible) and place it into a hamster ball and let it float inside of her tank. Getting the smallest clown possible will allow you to quarantine it for a short period (15-30 days). Let the juvi stay in the ball for a day or two and then let it out. Be prepared with a net just in case she goes in for the kill. If she does, place her in the hamster ball overnight while he stays out in the tank and try it again.

 

[2turtles]

Thanks for the thoughts. I will go for a smaller tomato. But the reality is, he will be on his own after he gets out of the ball. Really no way to get a fish out in a timely manner once released into the tank.

 

[bencozzy]

alot of people will say dont mix species but from everything ive heard from people breeding hybrid clowns is that mixing clowns from the same complex is fairly easy.

now mixing clowns from a different complex is hit or miss and can be a problem in a reef tank, especially if you need to pull the little one in a hurry.

 

[vvolfe1]

I have two young false perc's in my tank with a 4" tomato clown. The tomato has been in the tank for 9 years. They have been together for 6 months now with no aggression. I do believe it is hit or miss but I've not seen anything bad from it. The only aggression I get from the tomato is when I added a tang that thought it was going to rule the tank. The tang thought wrong. lol

 

[enchie]

re-arrange the tank so the territory will be "new" to both of them. That way if the new Clown won't go into the wrong territory that is already claimed.