how aggressive are your tomato/ GSM clowns?

[Moonstream]

on a scale of 1 to 5? I really love these species, but cant decide which I want, or if I should just go with pink skunks...

 

[michellejy]

I had a tomato years ago who really wasn't aggressive at all, but he was in a relatively small tank (20 gallons) with only a couple of other fish. I've never had a GSM.

 

[Toddrtrex]

I have had both, and I would rate them a 4 (( 5 being the most aggressive )).

Go with the pink skunks!!

 

[Moonstream]

ill probably just end up with a pair of skunks. I like calmer tanks.

 

[jackh]

mines not that aggressive towards other tank mates. he stays in his long tentacle most of the time, come out to feed and look around every now and then. imo, tomatos are prettier than skunks

 

[Moonstream]

I think they're prettier then skunks too. I think they're one of the prettiest clowns, actually.

question, will a skunk clown host in a BTA? that is one of my main concerns at this point...

 

[elegance coral]

I have had GSM's and Tomatoes. Quite a few other species as well. I had a Tomato that was just plain evil. I have a pair of GSM's that are the calmest fish I have. IMHO, it's hard to judge how a clown will behave based on species. They all have their own personalities.

 

[Quickcord]

I will second the GSM's. I have a pair in my 40bdr. Never chase anything unless it gets too close to the LTA. I have had them for almost 2 yrs. and the female has not tried to bite me....yet. If and when they spawn that may change.

Quickcord

 

[Toddrtrex]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13935324#post13935324 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Quickcord
I will second the GSM's. I have a pair in my 40bdr. Never chase anything unless it gets too close to the LTA. I have had them for almost 2 yrs. and the female has not tried to bite me....yet. If and when they spawn that may change.

Quickcord

IME, spawning will change their behavior. Back when I had my pair they killed a firefish, and attacked my hand once they starting spawning.

Where as my pink skunks really didn't change once they started spawning -- they are a little more vocal when I am in/near the tank, but have yet to go after me -- or any other fish.

 

[Moonstream]

I think Ive ruled out the tomato, since most seem to say they are aggressive. not sure on the GSM/pink skunks. I am leaning towards the GSM a bit, since they would obviously be more likely to host in a BTA, and Ive always, always wanted one...

 

[Korrine]

I would like to have gold stripped maroons in my 120g. I'm hesitant b/c I've heard of many stories involving territoriality. I've also heard of larger clowns pushing around corals My big tank will be a coral tank with some show fish.

 

[Mike31154]

I have a pair of White Striped Maroons in my 75 and they are only aggressive when things get a little close to their BTA and it depends on what it is that's getting close. My hand is an object the female doesn't like, but she's never bitten yet. My Yellow Tang, Singapore Angelfish and Mandarin Dragonet are all tolerated even in close proximity with complete calm. Blue Devil Damselfish and Lawnmower Blenny are less welcome, Blue Devil gets chased vigorously and the Blenny on occasion.

As far as disturbing other items, the female fans away at the substrate below the BTA excavating quite a depression and I've seen her shove the odd piece of small rock, shell or debris away from their territory. No harm done really and the sand gets stirred nicely from time to time.

 

[wicked_NaCl_h2o]

Pink skunks like btas too..it took mine overnight to jump into a bta.
gbta

rbta

 

[scottallert]

mt tomatoe is the least aggressive fish out of all 11 fish i have.

 

[elegance coral]

I have 6 pairs of clowns. Based solely on personality, I would have to say my GSM's are my favorite. They spend most of their time touching and rubbing on each other. They are never far apart. Both of mine will fan the sand creating a good sized hole. The female is very picky about her hole in the sand. If a rock or hermit crab falls in, she will pick it up and move it. She has never messed with coral or anything outside of her hole.

I've never had pink skunks, so I can't really compare the two.

 

[dalston]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13990466#post13990466 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by elegance coral
I have 6 pairs of clowns. Based solely on personality, I would have to say my GSM's are my favorite. They spend most of their time touching and rubbing on each other. They are never far apart. Both of mine will fan the sand creating a good sized hole. The female is very picky about her hole in the sand. If a rock or hermit crab falls in, she will pick it up and move it. She has never messed with coral or anything outside of her hole.

I've never had pink skunks, so I can't really compare the two.

Sorry to get off subject a bit, but why do they fan the sand? my NG Clarkii does this at the base of where the LTA bury's its foot, its really annoying because the LTA moves a few inches every time to re-bury itself.

 

[dalston]

Well I guess as I posted i'll give some input on the original question too :lmao:

Although it wasn't part of a pair, I had a GSM and it was my favourite, I loved that fish, it wasn't agressive at all. In the end it got killed by the NG Clarkii, which by the way is a nightmare, constantly terrorising everything else in the tank!

 

[luisgo]

I have a Tomato clown and he is aggressive! I added a pair of percula clowns and he started harassing the perculas. After three days of battle they establish their territories and now they live in peace

 

[Korrine]

That's a great picture!! Glad they settled down

 

[synofreak]

I own 3 GSM. A mated pair, and a likely female(different tanks). The mated pair are model citizens, even when breeding. The female in the other tank, nips sometimes when I get close to her nems, but never bothers other fish. Go GSM, you wont regret it.