Introducing a second Percula?

[Ben_Im]

I'm aware that true perculas are pretty teritorial, and most people have told me to introduce two of them into the aquarium at the sametime. Unfortunately the LFS only had one true percula that had the type of coloration I wanted, so it's been swimming solo in my reef tank for about a month now.

Now I want to add a second Percula, will there be any bullying?
Should I get a large one so that dominance is clear, or should I get a smaller one so the current resident is not intimidated and more accepting?

Am I overthinking this?

Any input is appreciated!

 

[Christo'sClowns]

i would say if your not for sure this fish is a female then i would go with a smaller one and allow the larger one to becaome a female. Unfortunately the only way to find out if it is a female is to put a larger fish with the current one you have and watch for any submissive behavior. I dont think your overlooking anything just cautious. If your current fish is an inch and a half or less I wuld guess its a male

 

[Mike778922]

really depends on the size of the one you have already, but if there is any question that the one you have is sexually mature, you'll have to go with a small one from the store and similarly sized clowns will fight a bit until dominance is set up.

 

[DeathWish302]

I would go with a smaller fish for the new addition. I would also reaarange the tank if possible during the addition. I have a Tomato female that lost her mate to the dreaded carpet surfing awhile back. She has turned 2 juvies into female b/c she will not budge on her territory. Kind of hard to rearrange an estblished reef, but if you can it would be advisbale.

 

[Ben_Im]

On my way to the LFS right now. *Fingers crossed*

I know they have a small 1.5-2 inch true percula that has been eating and disease free for the past 3 weeks.

I'll update this thread.

Just some info: I have a 46 bowfront with tons of rocks and caves, and the current clownfish is the only fish I have. Hopefully the size of the tank will help reduce any territorial behavior.:hmm4:

 

[Littleg182]

I've had a True Percula for about 2 years that has grown pretty large, about 2.5-2.75". Maybe 4 months ago I finally was able to find another Solomon Island percula to match up with her that was maybe 1". The larger female bullied a little for maybe 2 weeks, nothing major. Although, she did completely take the right pectoral fin off the little guy early on. It's fully grown back now though. I guess it depends on the individual clownfish as far as aggressiveness towards new tank mates go.

 

[Ben_Im]

^ Very nice looking Clowns.

Well I introduced the second percula yesterday. Unfortunately all the true percs at the LFS didn't have much black coloration, so I'm hoping it'll fill in with time. Almost instantly they started to swim together but they slept on opposite sides of the tank. In the morning they started to "spar" a little bit. One is clearly dominant and is the "chaser" while the other one shakes and runs away. Hopefully the new guy doesn't get too hurt. I've been feeding them well so hopefully all is well soon.

Overall I'm really excited to see if they eventually start mating; although I have no interest/ability in raising the babies, it would be fascinating to watch.

Also, I'm not sure if it matters, but both my clowns are from Solomon Islands
Thanks for all the replies!

 

[Ben_Im]

The new guy is definetly getting a beating. The original perc will nip as his sides and I'm starting to see some small "tears" on the side of the new perc. I'll update this thread when they finally establish some hierarchy.

 

[Littleg182]

When I would watch mine after I introduced the second one, sometimes the larger female would have the little guys fins completely in it's mouth. Eventually the smaller one hosted my hammer coral and then moved down to the frogspawn with the larger female once they got adjusted. Just keep an eye on the new inductee, hopefully it will find somewhere so it won't get harassed too much.

 

[patriots81]

good luck

 

[aaronpentz]

I had the same problem. After my female killed two. I got a floating fish breeder. That way she could get used to the new addition and I dont have to worry about her killing another one. I had to leave him in there for a little over a week. I knew they were ready because the female would swim up by the new guy all day almost like she was hosting the breeder. A couple of more days then I let him out and no problems since.

Good Luck.

 

[Ben_Im]

Day 4 and still fighting

The new guy is still getting picked on, but they sleep together at night and even "rub" on eachother. Once the lights kick on it's a whole different story.

The fighting has decreased dramatically, but is still present, so I'm hoping only a couple more days and it'll be fine.

*Fingers crossed*

 

[OrionN]

For Ocellaris or Percula, it usually best to get one very large and one very small. The smaller one give up and settle quickly. When you have two that is near each other size, they go on fighting for a long time and can cause permanent damage, to fins or mouth

 

[Ben_Im]

For Ocellaris or Percula, it usually best to get one very large and one very small. The smaller one give up and settle quickly. When you have two that is near each other size, they go on fighting for a long time and can cause permanent damage, to fins or mouth

I kept that in mind, but all the smaller percs weren't in as good health as the one I bought. I must've been at the LFS for close to an hour and a half trying to decide which perc to buy.