Help! New clown decision

[gildorph]

Background: I have a 180G tank, mixed reef, 20G fuge, 20G sump. My fish are x2 tangs, foxface, BT trigger, Regal Angel, Annularis Angel, x2 dwarf angels, sandsifting goby, small psuedochromis, x3 chromis, squareback anthias, fairy wrasse. No recent major issues. Tank established almost 3 years.

Clownfish/Anemone: I have a large GSM (4+'') and a large BTA (12+'')together for almost 1 and 1/2 years and I've had the GSM for the entire period since the talk was cycled. I have decided to remove/sell the GSM for various reasons including aggression, blowing sand, hand biting, and knocking down delicate corals.

I want to replace the GSM with a pair, no real interest at this point in breeding. It seems I am leaning pretty simply to a pair of ocellaris or percula. My research so far suggests a generic tradeoff that percula has better coloration but ocellaris is hardier. I am interested in the traditional coloration of these fish not black, misbarred, snowflake, onyx, etc. My concerns are can a BTA be too big for these smaller fish, do I have a good chance that these type of clowns will host in a bta, are they so mild mannered that they will bet bullied by other tankmates.

Wondering if anyone would have any hesitations with that in my current setup and which is a better fit in terms of hosting with the large BTA, etc.

 

[dalston]

Generally speaking, I find the occelaris to have better coloration than A. percular. I prefer the 'solid' color of the occ against the somewhat faded orange of the perc.

As for the symbiotic relationship, neither clowns use E. quadricolor as a natural host but it may/does happen in captivity. There is no guarantee when or even if it will happen though.

In terms of which clowns are better suited for your current stocking list, I would say it's a toss up...both species can be pretty docile (compared to your current GSM) however an established matured pair of either clown should be able to hold their own against your current list.

Clowns are clowns and no matter which species you get, you can expect some agression, some more than others, but all get territorial. Although there are basic characteristics for each species, it really does vary from fish to fish.

HTH

 

[velvetelvis]

I'm probably biased, since I have ocellaris, but I think ocellaris have prettier faces than perculas. Adult perculas have slightly bulging eyes and look a little "froggy" to me. I think they tend to have a little more cachet among reef hobbyists, because ocellaris are so ubiquitous and considered a "beginner's fish", but both have their devoted fans.

 

[gildorph]

So if many find the ocellaris to be equal or better in color and look to percula, is their any benefit in the latter? I am aware that neither hosts in BTA's in the wild, anyone have some likelihood of success they can throw out or is pretty much 50/50. Obviously, in captivity it appears to be quite common. Would getting a pair already hosting in a BTA increase the chance they would host in mine?

 

[dalston]

1 benefit I have found in the latter is that the percular are more accepting of unatural host's, but that's just IME.

TBH though, the 2 species are very close in terms of behaviour. I think my decision would be based on looks alone

 

[gildorph]

Thanks for the help.

Btw, is that an avatar reference in your sig? If so what an incredible movie ... Makes one wonder what they could do with an underwater world.

 

[dalston]

Thanks for the help.

Btw, is that an avatar reference in your sig? If so what an incredible movie ... Makes one wonder what they could do with an underwater world.

No problem

It's not an Avatar reference, it's actually a song title by the late great Ian Dury. I have yet to see the movie actually, have heard great things though...