Getting a new male Tomato for a female in her established tank?

[ReeferKimberly]

First....I haz a major sad :*(

I was watching my male tomato happily swimming and 10 min later looked at the tank and he somehow managed to wedge himself behind the heater. I have never had that happen in 20 years of fish-keeping, ever. He was literally cooked, half was singed looking almost, lighter than the rest of his body. I was so sad (I have since moved the heater)

Now I have my female and her RBTA without a male. I honestly think she wouldn't care one way or another so I was thinking maybe holding off on getting a new male.

Question is, if I wait for a long time and her and her nem get a lot bigger (she is 2 inches, nem is 4) and she is all big and aggressive is it going to be difficult to introduce a new male? If I ever want to do it should I just do it now?

I am new to keeping clown pairs. Any advice appreciated! Thank you!

RIP Little Red

 

[fishroomlady]

I'm sorry for you loss.....it is so hard when fish die especially when they've become established in the tank - I would be afraid to suggest what to do because I don't have enough experience with pairs of clowns. I will be interested in seeing responses. I know that tomatoes are known to be on the aggressive side so she may be all big and bad with a new one, but I'm thinking that would be either now or later.....

 

[dalilgriffith]

Good....... Luck. They can be downright mean. I'd advise getting a clear container to float the fish in with holes. Perhaps, put a hole in the container just large enough for the little guy to come and go, but the female cannot. That way, he can come out when he is ready. This is what I would do when I paired my maroons.

 

[aydemir]

Maybe you could try getting a bigger clown, and the female will turn into a male? The new clown wouldn't get harrassed that way but your female might

 

[CoralReeferGal]

I thought once a clown is female, she cannot switch back to male? Maybe I'm mistaken, but that was my understanding.

I'm a bit curious to answers/suggestions here as well, I would like to pair my GSM clown, but I know they also are very aggressive, and afraid to try to introduce another clown...

 

[dalilgriffith]

What the bloody YOU KNOW WHAT?

No, once a female, always a female.

 

[chad316]

I am interested in this as well. I have a solo female that likes her anemone...worried about putting a small (but more definitely male or sexless) mate in my new tank with her. I like the idea of isolating the new fish in a container, allowing it to protect itself from the female if need be. Any other ideas? I have true percs, so I am not sure if they are more or less aggressive than tomatoes or maroons.

 

[stykthyn]

small gladware containers or strawberry baskets are the best way to introduce new males or juveniles to an established female. plan B would be to remove the female for a week or two and then introduce the subordinate and the female back into the tank at the same time.