Keeping 1 vs. 2 Clownfish

[Agua]

Hello everyone! I'm sorry if this has been asked before, but I didn't find an answer using search.

My question is whether there is any particular advantage to keeping clownfish (specifically A. Ocellaris) in pairs rather than a single clownfish. I ask because it seems best to add two together, so it might be difficult to add a second after a few months or years after adding the first.

Do clownfish get lonely? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Dallas Reefer]

ive got 3 occy's. all entered at different dates(honestly think that was a bad idea.)

and a black perc pair. they cant do ANYTHING. the big momma has my 2 elegances hemmed up and the other 2 have my sherman called for.

my wifey loves clowns.

 

[hypnoj]

clownfish do totally fine on their own and will utilize every corner and area of your tank if by themselves. If you get another clown of the same species (please get only one other one if you do) they will probably pair up and then after an extended period of time they will begin to dominate a small section of your tank. The relationship between 2 clowns is pretty cool but can appear to be a little stressed. One single clown is a great tank mate that swims all over your tank and seems pretty happy and carefree. Anyways, hope this helps.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Warning: most reefers on this board will disagree with my opinions stated here.

I personally think it unnatural to keep individuals clowns and wouldn't plan to do it.

FWIW, I also do not think it optimal care to keep them without a natural host anemone for that species. The fact that it doesn't happen in the wild and that most clowns rapidly move into a natural host when provided with one tells me that they have a natural preference for that situation, and not providing it deprives them of something they "want". In some cases it is a chemical "need" that is supplied by the anemone.

An analogy is zoo animals. Lots of animals appear to do physically fine in a zoo, but providing for their psychological needs and other complex needs can be a lot harder than simply providing physical space and food.

 

[Jerdel]

I have 2 but added them at the same time and they were about the same size. The faught a little but once dominance was established they hardly ever leave each others side. They sleep in the corner of the tank at night right on top of one another. Clownfish are cool, wish I could add another pair of black clowns but I dont want them fighting each other...

 

[Agua]

So, are single clownfish more or less aggressive toward peaceful fish than pairs?

 

[hypnoj]

So, are single clownfish more or less aggressive toward peaceful fish than pairs?

well. It depends on the what type of clown to be honest. But most clowns that are not being hosted in an anemone are pretty docile and non-aggressive. They have nothing to protect or defend. Couples will stake out a spot, lay eggs and defend their territory. Their aggression will depend on what species they are: percs/Occie's typically being the less aggressive of the species available.

 

[Agua]

Thank you all so much. I think I'm going to plan on a single A. Ocellaris for this tank.

 

[Mr.Tan]

I have two misbar ocellaris in my tank, i find they utilize every inch of the tank on a regular basis.. before, i had two osc/perc. hybrid clowns that stuck to a spot... these now are all over the place, i don't know if it is just because they have only been in for a week now but before the others took a spot very quickly. I have no host anemone or other corals (my tank crashed from the snow storm we had from loss of power so I had to move all my corals and haven't moved them back yet).

they are also very doscile. they are constantly swimming with my purple pseudochromis. It is quite funny, they all swim together.