group of tank bred ocellaris

[mattsilvester]

Hi folks,

My dealer has a large number of tank bred Amphiprion ocellaris (TMC). I would really like to establish a group of these fish in my 8x2x2 reef, together with a suitable anemone (either a bubble tip or a malu).

My question(s) is (are):
Is it feasible to keep a group and how many should I try?
He has small and medium sized specimens - so should I get a medium and then several small specimens and introduce them all at the same time?

Thanks for your help.

Regards,

Matt

 

[Moonstream]

I think it is a good idea, but in the end most likely will end up w/ either 1 pair, or all the fish pairing, however, because the reef is so big, the pairs may all be able to have their own teriotoies. Most of the time this fails long term, as in 15 years from now.
If you were to try it , get maybe 6 so that if they all pair there is no odd man out. Getting the a larger one, along w/ 5 smaller ones would be a good start. Also, try to get the largest nem possible so they can all fit in it.

 

[ArgonDreams]

Long term no more then a mated pair will likely survive the tank. Sometimes in very large tanks (100+) or more can handle 2 mated pairs, however this has been shown not to be stable once one pair starts mating.

If you want Clowns, get 1 pair, get the largest possible (likely female) and the smallest possible (Likely Juvenile that will turn into a male). You may be able to set up a second pair, but likely a large female will develop and kill of competitors. This may or may not happen, but over the long term usually does.

I would not get 6 as the previous poster said this will likely end with multiple dead clowns.

 

[mattsilvester]

Thanks for both your replies - i will opt for the safer route - I don't want dead fish on my hands - a large and a small it is then!

I haven't actually seen them yet, to be honest, they are just listed on his website - I'll be going to take a look on Saturday.

Thanks

 

[Phoric]

Clowns are very aggressive towards their own kind and are not shoaling or schooling fish. Juveniles will sometimes tolerate each other for a little while if introduced at the same time, which is usually how you see them at the fish store. After 6 months to a year, when they become adults, they will fight and kill each other off. In a big tank such as yours, if you were successful in keeping 2 pair for a short while on separate ends of the tank I would not be surprised, but as was said above, long term they will most likely end up fighting to the death.