How many clownfish can you put in a tank?
- Thread starter Bofa
- Start date
Frogmanx82
New member
I have 4 false percs together for 18 months in a 90. Tank raised from the same clutch i think makes a big difference. The standard rule of just one pair certainly applies to wild caught. Tank raised just don't exhibit the same behaviors. Mine have yet to pair off and I haven't seen any eggs though they go through the cleaning behaviors.
davocean
Active member
When this happens I would expect a change in behavior, and it often happens over night, and often not a pleasant outcome.
velvetelvis
Active member
IME, it doesn't matter whether they're WC or CB. For a while I kept four CB pink skunk clownfish (one of the more passive clownfish species), acquired as older juveniles, in a 75. They had no anemone to fight over. They got along until two of them began pairing off, and then the pair began to harass the other two mercilessly until I removed them.
The reason stores are able to keep groups of clownfish together is that these fishes are usually small juveniles. Once those juveniles begin to reach sexual maturity, they'll fight for dominance--and once that's established and they've formed a pair, they'll fight to defend their territory.
Frogmanx82
New member
I'm not sure mine will ever pair up. Tank raised are not the same as wild caught. 18 months is a pretty long time. At this point even if they do pair up, I feel they have been better off in my tank than with the average nemo fish buyer.
velvetelvis
Active member
Clarkii are brutes. They get big and are very territorial and aggressive. Clownfishes from the clarkii complex also aren't as dependent on their hosts as other clownfish complexes and are stronger swimmers, so they're more prone to roaming all over the tank (and attacking other clowns they encounter on the way). Not a good idea.
elegance coral
They call me EC
Very, very, very, very risky. Even in a 300. Clarkii's can get large and very nasty. They also claim rather large territories for a clown fish.
velvetelvis
Active member
A LSF about an hour from me has a pair of chrysopterus (for those new to clownfishes, not a a clarkii, but a member of the clarkii complex) and a large BTA in a 700G display tank. The female is the size of my hand and the undisputed queen of the entire tank, which she patrols regularly. Even the triggerfish hustle out of her way when they see her coming. The store had briefly tried to house a pair of ocellaris in the same system, but had to remove them soon after for their own safety.
reefbegood
New member
JUST CLOWNING AROUND!
reefbegood
New member
Just a 1 pair per tank for real
davocean
Active member
JUST CLOWNING AROUND!
Those look like all from same clutch, which seems the only way to safely try the multiple clowns gig.
Check Moberts 27 clowns sticky above for an eye popper, but I think she even stated some losses for unknown reasons.
velvetelvis
Active member
I think even if they're from the same clutch, it will eventually implode...my skunks were all from the same clutch.
4 black/white ocellaris. it takes me over 4 years to put this togather. i started with a 3 years old pair, then i added 4 juvens, the big female rejected one of them right away. over the next year, 2 juven pair up and rejected the smallest juven. now all 4(2 pair) living in 5 big rose. they hang out togather and defend the rose togather. i tried put more juvens. all 4 clowns line up and beat the new juvens to the corner. so i removed the juvens and stop adding more. i always want a big happy family of clown, i guess 4 is my #.
big female:3.5"
big male:2.75-3"
small female:2.5"
small male:1.75-2"
they all have been togather over 2 years now. never fight. united against any new comers.
big female:3.5"
big male:2.75-3"
small female:2.5"
small male:1.75-2"
they all have been togather over 2 years now. never fight. united against any new comers.
BonsaiNut
Premium Member
Do not be mad when I post this, and I am not trying to start a war or anything, but this has to be the single most frequently asked question in this forum. I have no idea how many times it has been asked, discussed and answered over the years.
If you are really interested in an answer, I would recommend checking the FAQ or using the search function.
If you just want to chat, go for it! Not trying to rain on your parade!
If you are really interested in an answer, I would recommend checking the FAQ or using the search function.
If you just want to chat, go for it! Not trying to rain on your parade!
Frogmanx82
New member
I think everyone knows what the rule is. One pair per tank. I think they are looking for people who have been successful breaking the rules so they can do what they want. I bought 4 and its worked out great for a year and a half. If they pair up now and I end up with 2, I was very adequately warned. At this point even the victims likely would have done worse in a tank less well maintained than mine.
kerusso316
New member
The biggest problem is more than one female in a tank. You can do several males. I have a 75 gal. With about 60 fish in it. They are from several different clutches. There are several different species of clowns. There is one female. All others male. No death. Note: When fish are fighting to be the female, death will result. When fish fight to be the dominate male fins get shredded a bit.
Frogmanx82
New member
No pics of that 75? I'd like to see that many fish in a 75. Well, normally I wouldn't but you seem to take good care of your fish.
