Giant maroon clown

[UCBryant]

I have a 10 year old Maroon clown (inherited from previous owners) ... that is about 5 inches long. The tank is only 40 gallons .. and she's the only fish in there.

Question is: Can I add another maroon clown? I haven't moved the rocks in a couple months, so now she's super aggressive and territorial. Is there another fish that would work with this guy?

 

[Fishboy42]

Sounds like a nice fish Your tank should be plenty big enough if you'd like to try to pair her with a male.

You can try to add another juvenile maroon in-hopes that she accepts him as a mate. Choose a small one to make sure that it doesn't attempt to assert any dominance over the "incumbent"

Watch for the new male to "shimmy" and to "kiss" the female on the cheek as submissive behaviors. If she responds kindly (by not attacking him), then the pair is off to a good start.

Although I have never found it necessary to use this technique, some recommend adjusting the male (and female) by keeping the new fish in a small box or hanging basket to keep him safe from the bigger fish. See here for more:

Pairing Clownfish

Hope this helps!

Matt

 

[dc]

I would say it's probably not a good bet. She'll probably kill any fish you put in. Mine won't even let me add corals.

 

[garygb]

If you decide to do it, I suggest you get a much smaller fish that will certainly be a male and quickly assume the subservient role. Also, you would want to put a divider up where the two can see one another but not actually touch one another. Allow them to get used to each other and watch their behavior. Even through the divider there will be submissive behavior on the males part. See how the female reacts to this. After a couple of weeks, on a day where you can keep a close eye on the tank, you can let them go together in the tank. If the female chases the male and he swims away relentlessly, separate them. If the male shakes and behaves submissively and the female recognizes the submission and ceases her aggression, then they are on their way to becoming a pair. Make sure the male is small.

 

[UCBryant]

Thanks guys

I just read the sticky on pairing clownfish ... pretty interesting.

Right now she's so aggressive ... I just got a xenia from a friend and tried to support it between two rocks. One of the rocks fell into the clown's little den. She immediately works at pushing it out of the area ... along with anything else that tries to enter, like my finger

I'm thinking that maybe before introducing a new guy, I rearrange the rocks in the tank. I don't know if that's too much stress ... I think it'd certainly halt any territorial aggression

So.. maybe rearrange rocks, then immediately try the fish-in-a-cup method?

 

[kobes]

i just successfully paired up a 2 yr old aggressive female with a male. i think it's all up to luck with maroons but you can increase your chances. the best advice is wait to really find the most suitable baby maroon you can. the male i have is just 3/4" at the most with white stripes and she took to him in just an hour.

 

[UCBryant]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11607357#post11607357 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kobes
i just successfully paired up a 2 yr old aggressive female with a male. i think it's all up to luck with maroons but you can increase your chances. the best advice is wait to really find the most suitable baby maroon you can. the male i have is just 3/4" at the most with white stripes and she took to him in just an hour.

How big is the female? If mine is 5" (about 4" from tip to start of caudal), should i look for a 1-1.5" male?

 

[kobes]

my female is about 4". i'm pretty sure from everything i've read that you want to stay under an inch. that ensures you have a juvenile that is at least definately male if not unsexed.

 

[kar93]

Little off topic but a story:

A friend of mine broke his arm and could no longer take care of his tank for a while so i said id help when i first put my arm in the tank she ripped a hair right off!. I vowed i would never get a Maroon until last week i saw that little juvie in the LFS, Could resist