Introducing new clown with existing clown.

[bsmom]

I have an Ocellaris clown and I would like to give him a companion. I'm assuming he is male. His previous companion died a couple years ago and was much larger than he was. He is at least 12 years old. He is looks to be about 2.5 inches long. (Eyeballed with a caliper) Should I get a a smaller clown or bigger one or just not bother? Thanks for your input!

 

[Clowny88]

Don't assume gender... That's where the trouble starts. After a couple years in isolation, clowns become female. And clowns change from male to female, but not the other way. So SHE needs a male companion.

If you get one bigger than her, they will fight to the death... the bigger one wants to be the dominant female. So you would want one smaller. As far as juvenile/mature older clown... that's the question I'm not sure of. She's an old gal you got there.

 

[bsmom]

Thanks for the advice. Gender is one of the questions I was worried about!

 

[hotelbravo]

get a much smaller one, ive heard stories of clowns living 30+ years so i dont feel like the 12 year old would be a grouch to the new blood coming in on her turf i think it would work out just fine. just my opinion.

 

[JoelA7]

+1^. Very important and absolutely correct. You have a 2.5" fish get a 1-1.5" fish which will definitely be male and submissive and you improve your chance of a pair x10. At least.

 

[hotelbravo]

If I were you I would find one out of a group of clowns that is the smallest or one of the smallest and buy him. That way you almost garunter he is not a female

 

[sarens]

+4 or +5 on getting smaller one, after 2 years bet she is a female now