Maroon clowns with other fish....

seapug

Premium Member
I have a pair of maroon clowns that have been living in a 28 gallon Nano Cube HQI tank for the past 5 years with some red BTAs. They are a mature, mated pair. The female is over 5".

I'm preparing for an upgrade of my current 90 gallon mixed reef to a 200 gallon Marineland Deep Dimension tank (48" X 36" X 27") and I'm pondering the idea of putting the clownfish in the new tank on an anemone bommie with the current residents of my 90 gallon (Purple Tang, Leopard Wrasse, Flame Hawk, Royal Gramma & Possum Wrasse), but I'm concerned about aggression from the female maroon clown. She's a large lady.

Anybody ever keep a pair of mature maroon clowns in a tank with other fish?
 
They are meaner than sin. The tank size will help. If possible, put all the other fish in the new tank first, and let them set up shop and get established. At that point you could move over the clowns, think that gives you the best chance, but that isn't to saw the female won't go nuts on ya.
 
yeah, I'd definitely put them in last, but I have real concerns about that female. She's a bruiser. As much as I don't want to part with these fish that I paired and raised for the last 5 years, I'm thinking it might be best take them to the LFS and get some credit toward a new pair of designer ocellaris.
 
I have a single female maroon clown that lives by herself because she is just nasty to every other living thing that she comes in contact with.
It really is a shame that they are so ruthless, they are a fantastic looking fish.
As everyone knows though all fish are different, maybe yours would be able to co-exist with others, but I wouldn't try it unless you are sure that you can get the maroons back out. Especially with her being that big, man she could do some damage in a hurry.
 
I have my big female in with a black and white occelaris and a few other fish.I had no choice when my 90 gal. was uneven so I had to tear it down.She was the only tank that was available.They won't be in with her too much longer hopefully.She sets him straight one in a while but doesn't hunt him down ruthlessly.I'm lucky and that's it I guess.
 
I have my pair in a 40 with a purple basslet and a bi color blenny. Small fish in a reef tank will generally pop in a hole when bruiser swims by. In a 200- the tang will stay away- no contest in swimming. The others will find holes when needed.
 
I don't think you'll have a problem with the fish you have. She might drive away the flame hawk if he perches too close. It's important to have the right tankmates & a larger tank.

My female would nip at my Muelleri copperband because it was hanging around looking for worms. She didn't bother my anthias or other dither fish. I removed the pair from a 48" 120g because it wasn't long enough for them & my Muelliri.

Don't forget to be prepared for them to want to re-arrange their territory the way they like it. In other words, if a small rock or coral doesn't fit their tastes it will get moved.
 
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