maroon clown q's

[wilmonkey5]

i currently have a 29 gal rectangle tank with 1 GSM clown (shes 2 inches long) and some basic corals.

she has been in the tank for little over a month and i was wondering if i could put a juvenile GSM in the tank with her.

will this cause to much aggression?

any other fish i could put with her?

 

[Titus77]

Try a green chromis first. And if you decide to try putting another GSM in there, put a clear divider in there first, with the female on one side, and the other on the other.

 

[wilmonkey5]

if i did the clear divider idea when would i remove it?
when would i know if they bonded?

 

[kimsie]

Titus77 - I'm not quite sure why you are suggesting a green chomis...

Anyway - Wilmonkey5 - in answer to your question - yes you can try to find a mate for your GSM. I would find the smallest juvinelle you can and when you introduce the 2nd maroon into the tank - place it in there in a strawberry basket (or something else basically something that it can swim in and out of but that your larger one won't be able to enter.

Does that make sense at all?

 

[Titus77]

Well, if one is "trying" to get over to the other one and will not leave him alone, I belive that is a sign that they will not be a pair. But if they are minding their own business, leaving each other alone, then pull the divider out and keep a net handy, just in case they start killin each other. Maybe let them nip each others fins a few times, but nothing more.

 

[kimsie]

I'm sorry Titus77 - I have to disagree with your opinion that if one is trying to get over to the other that is a sign they won't pair up.

I think there are better ways to introduce a new clown than a clear divider... just my opinion!

I have a pair of GSM's myself - but I was lucky and they paired for me right away without aggression. NOT the norm for GSM's...

 

[Mike31154]

I successfully paired two maroons in my 75 gallon without a divider but there was plenty of room for the new addition to escape and hide. The resident maroon was already hosting in a BTA so he(soon to be she) didn't venture too far away from that when giving chase. If I recall correctly it took about a month for them to sort themselves out and in my case I kind of defied convention in that the new maroon was about the same size as the resident. Both were still juvenile (presumably both still male) and the resident prevailed in the battle for dominance. After they established the pecking order, the resident put on a rapid growth spurt and is now twice the size as the male. In your case, the tank is much smaller and you'll want to protect the new addition with something because the larger maroon will definitely attack, although at two inches it's hard to say if she is indeed a she already. If the new addition backs down after the first few skirmishes when you allow 'first contact', you should be ok, just a matter of time.

 

[wilmonkey5]

okay this is what im planning to do.
1)take my maroon out.
2) re-aquascape (ive been planning to do this).
3) place strawberry basket. turn off lights.
4) introduce new arrival and my GSM at the same time.

does that sound good?

 

[kimsie]

I think that sounds good - I would only change one thing...

It involves numbers 3 and 4... It may seem tricky - but I would actually try to put the new clown in the tank 'in' the basket. If you don't - chances are it won't find it... Does that make sense? So if you introduced it into the tank inside it - it will know where it is and that it can go in and out. Otherwise when your original GSM comes charging - it will simply be trying to flee and not know where to go...

 

[wilmonkey5]

ohh. yeah i see what you mean. thanks a bunch

 

[phk36]

you can also use egg crate as a divider

 

[patsfan1130]

Pairing GSM can be very difficult heart breaking. I have been successful 3 times over the years (failed too many times than I care to say). The method that had worked for me is find the smallest juv you can. purchase a large specimen container and drill some holes in it,cut a small piece of acrylic lafge enough to cover the top of the container and iIntroduce the juv inside of the specimen container as far away from the hosting GSM (I'm assuming you have a nem) leave him there for a few days and move him closer..leave him there for a few days. after about a week of this uncover the specimen container. expect them to swim up to each other and for him to perform his "dance" (he should turn slightly away from her and shake like crazy. this is his way of telling her "your the boss" (be fully prepared to rescue the lil guy if she gets too crazy. she very well may try to kill him). If she does then net him and place him back in the specimen container but do not position it any closer than it was and leave him in there for a few days. at this point move him right in front of the nem and leave him for a copuple days. at any point in between you can try letting him out and see what happens. Keep in mind he will need some time to heal if he has been getting beaten up.

It is not often people get lucky and have their GSM pair without incident. I, unfortunately have had many clowns perish over the years in my selfish desire to have a pair. Understand that it is really hit or miss. there is no guarantee that that they will pair. you may end up having to return the juv and try again with another. Be persistant yet careful at the same time and chances are you will be successful.

My 2 cents

Mark