How do I add a 2nd Clown?

[moneymm]

I had 2 clowns, a Female Black Phantom about 2.5" and a Orange Ocellarius Clown about 1.75". but the Black Phantom died about 6 weeks ago.

At this point, I know I cant get a Mature or Female Clown, so I plan on getting a 1" Junvinelle Phantom Clown.

I Have a Royal Gramma and PJ Cardinal along with the Orange Clown in my DT.

Should I remove the existing clown and put it in QT with the new Clown?

If so, when should i add the existing clown to the QT, before or after the new clown is added to QT?

 

[Fish Ed]

I never had trouble introducing new clowns to existing clowns. The only thing will be that normal 'ritual' they do, which involves some nipping, spasms, dance etc. The one I did was about the same size though, no serious injuries and after a while they do get along. But it's recommended to get a smaller clown so this "who's the more dominant one" process will be more subtle and they'll get along much quicker.

 

[mstark]

+1
I added a smaller oc clown to an established one. They fought really intensely for about 20 seconds- I thought she (he at the time) was going to kill the new addition. But after that, no real aggression other than courtship-related stuff. They are now spawning every two weeks or so.
I'd say get a smaller fish and just watch to be referee. If the existing fish is too aggressive, consider rearranging the rock-work.

 

[toothybugs]

I never had trouble introducing new clowns to existing clowns. The only thing will be that normal 'ritual' they do, which involves some nipping, spasms, dance etc. ------- But it's recommended to get a smaller clown so this "who's the more dominant one" process will be more subtle and they'll get along much quicker.

Yup, this.

I have a female (normal) ocellaris of about 3" with no other clowny tankmates, ever, and I put a mocha in with her that was almost 2" a few months back. I was expecting to see a whoopin' but no such luck. She whapped him with her tail when I released him in to the tank, then they sniffed each other's butts (literally, they swam around each other about 5 times making an odd loop) and got on with life immediately as a happy pair.

 

[moneymm]

I already said in my orginal post that I am going to get a smaller one.

I just want to know if I should take my existing Clown out of the DT and put it in QT with the new Clown so they can bond in there. and also so the new clown does not turn into a female.

 

[pyithar]

leave ur existing clown in the DT. Qt the new clown alone. they'll be living together in the DT for a long time anyway. so they'll bond in there. the new clown will be the male.

 

[moneymm]

leave ur existing clown in the DT. Qt the new clown alone. they'll be living together in the DT for a long time anyway. so they'll bond in there. the new clown will be the male.

ok thanks, you dont think the QT period 4 weeks or so, is long enough were the new clown will turn female?

 

[NaturalReef]

I have a 10 yo female occ and I wanted to introduce a small male snowflake occ. I brought a breeder box stuck him in it in the tank where the 10yo sleeps for two days. I watched the male twitch into submission a couple times and the next day released him and they paired up almost instantly. Highly recommend this method since it causes no damage to new clown.

 

[HiImSean]

I had the same experience as other. It was a very easy introduction. I had an onyx by herself for 2+ years before introducing another clown. I got a small snowflake, used an acclimation box near her frogspawn and after a day or so of no interest I released him. She nudged and for a few days but never was aggressive or caused damage. Now they're best buds and always together in their frogspawn.