How to introduce 2nd clown into tank?

[Forshurley]

Any recommendations on introducing a second gold strip maroon clown fish to tank?
I have a fat and happy 4 inch clown that needs a buddy. I was planning on trying to find the smallest maroon clown I can find and introduce to the tank. Then wait and pray that they take to each other. I believe the larger one would hermaphrodite to the female and the litter one would be the male. With any luck they could one day become a bonded pair.

Any advise would be appreciated!

 

[woodnaquanut]

How about making a cage out of egg crate? Put that in with the new CF to let them get used to each other without doing any harm.

Your resident fish is probable already female. Make sure the new fish is the smallest of the bunch it's in otherwise you could get another female.

 

[God.]

+1 on getting the smallest male you can.

Your 4" clown should almost positively be female by now. The egg crate would work but I like the idea of just having plenty of live rock. If the smaller male is getting harassed he will likely need an area where he can retreat to that the larger female cannot. Maybe modify a "door" into the egg crate cage se he can slip in, but the opening is too small for the female to follow.

Maroon clowns are tricky to pair, Good luck!

 

[worm5406]

Take them both out and do a small amount of re-arranging the rock. One will not know any different but the other one will notice. Then put them BOTH back in at same time.

 

[OrionN]

Same idea as a cage for the smaller fish. My LFS got one of this ball where he put the smaller fish in. The ball float around in the tank for a week or so. After that he open and let the smaller fish out. It works 100% of the time for them.

 

[Forshurley]

Lets see how this works, it's a breeding net that allows good flow through an isolated chamber.

 

[worm5406]

That should work pretty good. As long as they see each other.

 

[Forshurley]

I floated the bag for 2 hours trying get them to notice each other. I then added him (hopefully him) and he got punked by other clown. Ran back to fish store and picked up breeding net for 7 bucks and hopefully didn't stress him out to much or hope they both are not females.

 

[woodnaquanut]

Good luck!

 

[flooddc]

Hope it work out! maroon clowns are very aggressive! good luck

 

[Forshurley]

Update...

Dropped breeder net down to 1.5 inches below surface of water and this is allowing the new clown to swim in and out. I attached breeder net to side with my magnet glass cleaner float. This allows the smaller to fish to swim out and keep larger clown out. Smaller clown getting more and more brave and swimming in and out. He knows the net provides safety and retreats back if feeling threaten. The larger clown is not being inviting and charging the new clown. E new clown has suffered miner injurys wi some bruises and a chunk out of left fin.

The smaller clown is smart and playing it safe darting in and out of breeder net and will take the time to be accepted into his new reef inveroment. Another positive thing is he has a good appetite and eating well and is tuff. Just thinking it is another female and morps to a male.

Anyone know how long it could take for a clown fish to change sexes?

 

[Forshurley]

Picture of clown

Picture of clown

He is hiding behind, in and around this breeder net. Slowing coming out.

 

[Mikesville510]

I used this in the past and it worked like a charm. I used a small water bottle like a 12 oz, and poked holes in it while leaving the cap off. This way the opening of the bottle is large enough for the smaller clown to venture out when it feels its safe and its also small enough so that the larger clown cant get to the other one.

 

[Forshurley]

Check out the progress

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YjRqO4vhbs