Mate for Widower . . .

[eastfernstreet]

I lost my female Black O. yesterday. Truly have no idea why. There's nothing going on in the tank and everything else is just ducky. Must have just been her time.

Since her mate is now alone, I would like to attempt to create another bonded pair. (Assuming some time goes by and there isn't some mystery catastrophe awaiting my tank.)

Questions:

1. Should I buy a smaller specimen and (assuming they don't kill each other) let my male become female? (George will be a funny name for a female but he doesn't come when I call his name, anyway.)

2. Can I by "any old" Clownfish or MUST it be a Black Ocellaris? It would be nice to try another variety. Perhaps even something somewhat exotic. I got the Blacks when I was brand new in the game. They were cheap and I was a newbie who didn't want to kill anything expensive right away. Now, I'd like to fly a little higher.

3. Is it possible to buy a larger tank mate with hopes that George will bond and stay male?

4. I have a MONSTER GBTA which has been ignored entirely by the Black O.'s. Is it possible to add a variety that favors GBTAs?

Lots of questions, I know. I appreciate any guidance you can share.

Thanks!

 

[ca1ore]

I haven't found a consistently easy way to add back to a pair. I think I've actually had more success adding a larger second. Often quite a bit of fighting (kissing my kids always used to say). Ended up with productive pairs more than not. Doesn't have to be a black, but I always stuck to Ocellaris. Never had much success getting clowns to accept a BTA as host. Much less than half of the time. There's a sticky here that notes natural host-eees for many nems. Magnifica is my anemone of choice - but that comes with a whole host of problems (pardon the bad pun).

 

[OrionN]

You can add a female Ocellaris clown fish right away, or else add another male or juvenile. For Ocellaris, it really does not mater that much. They rarely injure themselves much in pairing. Just don't add two females together. It will be at least weeks until your male turn female.